Educating 58,000 students at 71 campuses, Garland Independent School District ranks as the second-largest district in Dallas County, twelfth-largest in Texas, and is among the 100-largest in America. Visit the Facts & Figures page for more demographic data.
“Choice of School” EnrollmentNot many districts across the nation offer open-enrollment options for students, and none have a “choice” plan as far-reaching as Garland ISD.
While other districts use attendance zones to determine a student’s campus, GISD parents are able to choose the school their child attends.
This “Choice of School” period takes place each January for the following school year. Between 97-98 percent of students receive their first-choice school. Visit the Choice of School page for more information about this process.
Magnet ProgrammingGISD also offers a variety of magnet programs, blending regular curriculum and specialized courses. Elementary and middle school magnet programs include a math, science and technology sequence, classical instruction focused on the Arts, and a gifted and talented arena.
High school magnets expand these existing avenues while also offering concurrent college enrollment, an International Baccalaureate program, and diversified career and technical education clusters which include television production and broadcasting, law and criminal justice, cosmetology, auto collision, and welding.
Student AchievementBased on 2011 accountability ratings compiled by the Texas Education Agency, GISD was rated Academically Acceptable while 77 percent of its campuses received Exemplary or Recognized ratings.
Visit the School Accountability Ratings page for a list of schools by rating.
FacilitiesWith a student enrollment of 14,727 in 1964 to a current tally of 58,000, this district—and its facilities—have grown at a steady rate.
GISD staff members closely monitor these growth patterns to ensure construction of new facilities on a timely basis. Older schools also regularly undergo major remodeling to accommodate the changing needs of the educational environment._
2 - Prekindergarten Schools (Pre-K)
47 - Elementary Schools (K-5, Pre-K in some locations)
12 - Middle Schools (6-8)
8 - High Schools (9-12)
1 - Pathfinder Achievement Center
1 - Alternative Education Center
71 - Total Number of Schools
1 - Agriculture Farm
2 - Athletic Stadiums
1 - Events Complex
10 - Administrative / Support Service Facilities
For a list of facility names and contact information, please visit the Garland ISD <a href="http://www.garlandisd.net/contact/facilities.asp" target="_blank" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #48678a; text-decoration: none;">Facilities page.
Financial FactsWith a long-standing commitment to careful management of taxpayer money, GISD is recognized across the state for efficiency in balancing academic progress and fiscal responsibility.
The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) has recognized GISD eight times with its Superior Achievement rating, the organization’s highest honor recognizing quality financial management and reporting.
Governmental agencies in both the U.S. and Canada have acknowledged the district with their official Certificates of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting. GISD has received Certificates of Achievement for 23 consecutive years.
The district also holds the highest credit rating of Aaa from Moody’s Investors Service and the second-highest mark of AA from Standard and Poor’s. This places GISD among an elite group of Texas school districts.
In 2011, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs presented GISD with the highest five-star rating in the Financial Allocation Study of Texas (FAST).
This marked the second-consecutive year the district received this rating—a feat achieved by only 23 of the state's 1,237 school districts. Combs also presented the district with the Texas Honor Circle award.
2011-12 Tax Rate:$1.2533*
2011-12 General Fund Budget: $383,920,983
* Tax rate has not increased since 2008