Choice of School
period extended Community helping
develop future impact
Giving families the unique opportunity to customize education,
Garland ISD’s Choice of School program is like none other. Our
families can attend any campus in the district, regardless of where
they live. In an effort to ensure all families have ample time to
consider and make their choices, as well as receive earlier notifications,
we are extending this year’s Choice of School and magnet application
window. Opening Dec. 9, see the full calendar below.
Complete Choice of School forms and magnet applications
via Skyward Family Access. New students are also encouraged to
enroll through Skyward during selection periods. For families with
Pre-K and kindergarten students, the Choice of School and magnet
application window opens March 20.
We invite you to prepare for Choice of School at the
#ChooseGarlandISD Expo from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Curtis
Culwell Center. All 72 of our schools will be under one roof for
one night only. Meet campus principals, ask questions, learn about
program offerings and more. Garland ISD is continuing its legacy as a visionary leader in
education. With the help of students, staff and the community, the
district is developing a plan focused on the learners of tomorrow.
GISD partnered with the engage2learn organization to plan this
ambitious, multilevel process. In June, hundreds of stakeholders
provided valuable feedback at Community Input Summit events
and through an online survey. The district then gathered input
from more than 40 focus groups, including everyone from middle
school students to city representatives to multiethnic association
ambassadors. This summer’s efforts were great successes, and the work
continued after the start of the 2019–20 school year.
In September, a Design Team created a learning innovation
framework over an intense three-day period. The team, consisting
of high schoolers, parents, community members, and district
staff, designed a proposal to help empower lifelong learners in the
classroom and beyond. The following month, a second Design Team
tackled campus environments, discussing and pinpointing what
fosters effective teaching and learning. After two long days, the team
built an assessment rubric to evaluate GISD’s facilities. With official
campus walks planned through November, there is still more vital
work ahead. We are grateful to be in #GarlandUSA, where our
tri-cities come together to help plan the very best for our future.
Visit garlandisd.net/choice for details.
Choice of School & magnet application timeline
Nov.
2019
Dec.
2019
13 #ChooseGarlandISD Expo
9 Grades 1–12 Choice of School and magnet
application opens
Jan.
2020 11 Grades 1–12 magnet application closes
24 Grades 1–12 magnet program parent notification
27 Grades 1–12 Choice of School closes
Feb.
2020 3 Grades 1–12 magnet seat acceptance deadline
10 Grades 1–12 Choice of School notification
March
2020
2 Pre-K/Kinder Choice of School and magnet
application opens
21 #ChooseGarlandISD Day
23 Pre-K/Kinder magnet application closes
April
2020 17 Pre-K/Kinder Choice of School closes
24 Pre-K/Kinder magnet program parent notification
May
2020 1 Pre-K/Kinder magnet seat acceptance deadline
18 Pre-K/Kinder Choice of School notification
2019–20 // Issue II
To learn more and keep up with our progress, visit the district
website at garlandisd.net/designprocess.
#GISDWantsYouBack
Garland ISD wants to spread the word that all students, no matter
the circumstances, are welcome in our district. To help those who face
difficulties on the path to graduation, we launched a life-changing
program called Operation Opportunity.
In the spring, several GISD departments collaborated to pull
together community resources, special curriculum and special
enrollment procedures to set up traditional and non-traditional
graduation plans for students who did not return to school. The
team then reached out to families in multiple ways, including phone
calls, letters, email and face-to-face contact. In fact, staff members
from across the entire district worked as Operation Opportunity
door knockers—including our own Superintendent Ricardo López.
After the program’s soft launch, the number of reported dropouts
decreased by 36%.
GISD truly cares about every single learner. Help us continue
impacting lives by letting students know that #GISDWantsYouBack.
If you or someone you know can benefit from Operation
Opportunity, please contact Student Services at 972-494-8684
or [email protected].
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