Sachse families zoned into Garland ISD can preview every middle and high school in the district at a free event Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The Explore GISD Expo runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center, 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd. in Garland. The event is open to families of students entering grades 1 through 12 so they can prepare for the district's annual Choice of School process.

The district is especially urging families in transition years to attend. Think fifth- and eighth-graders. That covers any student moving from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school.

What to expect

All GISD middle schools and high schools will have staff on hand. Elementary magnet programs and the district's six Innovative Schools of Choice will also be represented. Families can talk directly with campus staff about programs, ask questions about the enrollment process and compare options side by side.

For Sachse residents, the default GISD path runs through Armstrong and Sewell elementary schools, Hudson Middle School and Sachse High School, according to local zoning records. The Expo gives those families a chance to learn whether a magnet program or an Innovative School of Choice might be a better fit before the application window opens.

How Choice of School works

Magnet programs require an application during the Choice of School window each year, according to the district's website. Innovative Schools of Choice have no application, test score or criteria requirements. Students simply select one of the six campuses during the same annual window, per the district.

One detail to plan around: students who choose an Innovative School of Choice outside their home transportation zone must arrange their own rides. Students within the zone remain eligible for district bus service.

Who this applies to

Garland ISD serves more than 54,000 students across about 72 campuses in Garland, Rowlett and Sachse. Sachse residents on the Dallas County side of the Dallas–Collin county line are zoned into GISD. Families on the Collin County side attend Wylie ISD schools instead.

The district posted the Expo announcement on the Sachse High School campus news page on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

GISD has not published specific dates for the Choice of School application window. Families can check garlandisd.net for updates on that timeline after the Expo.