Comparing RISD with GISD

Hi Cathy!
We are in a very similar situation. We live over in Old LAke Higlands and so far are happy with the elementary school (Hexter) but really hope to be out of here by Jr High- or sooner.

I like Richardason schools- LAke Higlands is ok but b/c of the large apartment communities they have many of the same problems DISD does. You may want to look up near Richardson Square Mall. The elemaenary is Jess Harbin- a friend did a TON of research and bought up there at a reasonable price.
I have other friends who are in Garland and love the schools. They not only have decent neighborhood schools but you can apply to go to any school in the district, including some very good acadamies.
Hope this is helpful- if I can answer anymore questions pls feel free to e-mail!
D.
____@____.com

Choice of school means you get to choose the school your child attends no matter where in the district you live. However, if availability becomes an issue, the children farthest away from the school would have to move schools first. Also, depending on what kind of special needs programming your child receives, you may have just a few campuses to choose from. Not every program is offered on every campus. My advice would be to call the Administration Building for the district and ask to speak to someone in the special education department. They would be able to help you!

Hello
I am a registered provider that has worked with parents that have had there children in the PPCD programs as well as the life classes in middle and high schools here in garland. I have cared for mutiple children with special needs and seem to think that both richardson and garland schools have good programs.
Choice of schools means that you can take your child to the school of your choice as long as you can get them there but im sure if this applies to the special needs programs that may depend on availablity

if you need more assistance you can call me at ###-###-####

Cathy -

I also have a 6 yr old daughter with special needs. She is currently attending Stephens Elementary's PPCD program in Garland ISD. Next year she will need to go into a LIFE Program. Garland does have "choice of school" program but if you choose a school that is not close to your home, they will not provide transportation. I have researched all the GISD elementary schools that offer LIFE classes, granted only on the web - I have only visited one so far. I am not sure what needs your daughter has, if she will need a LIFE class only about 7 schools offer that program in GISD. Speical ED she can get at any school I believe.

I wish had a referral for you. I am going to go check out Luna Elementary in the near future. I have also visted Rowlett Elementary. What program will your daughter need to attend?

I don't actually know about Garland school district, BUT we recently bought a house and had the same budget challenge ourselves! We found a home in Richland Park (near Richland College) and we're in Richardson school district.

Our neighborhood is on the borders of Richardson, Dallas and near Garland, so property value is good. We're off Abrams JUST south of Centennial/Buckingham. Good luck!

I attended school in GISD when I was a child and I loved it. My children attend Mesquite ISD and I am vary pleased. The "choice of school" thing in Garland means that as long as you live in Garland you can pick any campus you want to send your children to. MISD is not that way, you have to live in the boundary lines for each school. I don't know much about RISD. We could not afford a home there either. We moved to Creek Crossing in Mesquite after living in East Dallas for years so that my daughter would not have to go to school in Dallas. We love living in Mesquite, but Garland is a good place to live too. I hope this helps. God bless.

We're also in South Garland, but we homeschool our children. Our neighbor's son was not doing very well at school (has learning disabilities and is bi-polar) so I referred her to the Charter schools in the area. Here is a link and the homepage that explains what they are/how they operate, etc:

http://www.charterstexas.org/

There are 2 in Garland, both in South Garland, and b/c you don't have to live within any boundaries, you could even enroll her in one close to your work. My neighbors son has improved tremendously since he started at Education Center International Academy (one in Garland on Kingsley). Not only academically, but also emotionally as well.

My oldest ds suffers from dysgraphia, mood disorder/ODD w/ a "side effect" of ADHD, and we considered enrolling him in ECIA. I spoke w/ the special education coordinator extensively about him and she really felt they would be able to accomodate him in ways such as, giving him extra time for homework (b/c of the writing), allowing him to take tests w/o a time limit (also b/c of the writing), etc.

Anyhow, that's my recommendation. Good Luck to you and your family!

Hi Cathy,

I don't know what special needs your children have but my friend has a child with Turets. She used to live in Lake Highlands but had trouble finding appropriate help in schools. She has her children in Plano's ISD and they all love it and are doing well. I hope this helps. D.

I live in Garland, & the choice of school means that no matter where you live in Garland, Rowlett, & parts of Wylie or Sachse (I'm not sure which one right now)you can choose whichever school you want your child to go to. You pretty much have full choice. The only reason you wouldn't get into a school would be if recurring students or children from that neighborhood had filled it. Also, they have magnet schools that you can choose to send your child to without having to qualify as a magnet child if you live in that neighborhood, they're great schools. Research all the schools & don't forget, you don't have to live in Garland to go to Garland schools. All of Rowlett is GISD too.