Education
Garland Independent School District (GISD) consists of seven high schools that offer A/P, IB, and college credit courses. The district has consistently had strong graduation rates and low dropout rates. For the class of 2019, Garland had a graduation rate of 96.3% and a dropout rate of 3.5%. The district performed above the county average graduation rate of 92.3% and below the county average dropout rate of 7.5%.
Source: Texas Education Agency, 2019
Career Readiness
GISD has partnered with local colleges and businesses to offer Pathways in Technology Early College High School programs where students can earn college credit, training certificates, and even an associates degree, along with their high school diploma. Incoming freshmen can choose to go to any high school in the district, allowing them to enhance their career readiness early on. Program areas include: engineering, advanced manufacturing, criminal justice, accounting, construction technology, mortgage banking, pre-medical, pre-dental, network administration, software development, game technology, teaching, web design, electronics, and automotive technology.
Additionally, the Dallas County Manufacturers' Association regularly hosts plant tours for teachers, students, and counselors in order to draw attention to the career possibilities GISD graduates have available right in their home town.
Higher Education
Students graduating high school have many options both in and within a short driving distance of Garland. The city is home to Remington College, Amberton College, and Richland College, where courses are specialized to satisfy local business job skills. Other major universities in the area, such as Southern Methodist University, University of Texas (Dallas), University of Texas (Southwestern), and many more, are within a short drive or train ride away.