Garland, Texas, Is Investing Big In Its Youth To Power Future Growth, Opportunity

The city of Garland, Texas, is undergoing a period of transformation, with a particular focus on today’s young people.  

In 2025, Garland voters approved a $360M bond program to fund long-term investment across the city — from improving city streets to revitalizing downtown infrastructure. But perhaps one of the city's biggest areas of growth is the Garland Independent School District. 

Serving more than 50,000 students in 72 schools across the North Texas cities of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse, Garland ISD boasts some of the highest graduation rates and college, career and military readiness scores in the state, coming in at 94% and 96%, respectively. District students speak over 76 languages, and according to the Texas Education Agency, more than one-third of schools in the district received an A rating by exhibiting exemplary performance. 

And as the city of 250,000 people continues to grow, the district isn’t stopping there. 

It is constantly implementing new programs and making improvements both to its infrastructure and curriculum as student and city needs evolve, said GISD Chief Academic Officer Jason Adams, who holds a doctorate in education.

“We see ourselves not just as educators but as the chief talent pipeline for the local economy,” he said. “The city’s growth and economic development have been a guiding factor as we build our programs.”

As part of a $1.1B bond approved by voters in 2023, GISD is making major improvements across the district, including enhancing campus safety, performing facility renovations and expanding career preparation opportunities by adding new vocational programs for its students. 

Among the projects underway are four new elementary school campuses, new multiprogram activity centers at each high school, updated sports facilities, and the expansion of the programs offered at the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center. 

“All of these important projects demonstrate the district’s focus on student success and community investment,” Adams said. “GISD and local economic development are inseparable: A strong business community depends on innovative public schools, and thriving schools are supported by a vibrant, growing economy.”

Garland ISD’s strong performance in college, career and military readiness does not result from a single standout program, Adams said, but rather an aligned system that actively supports students from early learning through graduation. 

At the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center, 11th- and 12th-grade students from across the district can take courses in high-demand fields such as health science, skilled trades, engineering and technology. With the expansion, Garland ISD is adding five new programs of study to the GRCTC: diesel technology, industrial maintenance, plumbing and pipefitting, geographical engineering and land surveying, and electronic articulation. 

Students enrolled at the GRCTC spend part of their school day at their high school campus and the other part at the center completing specialized coursework. There, students can gain real-world knowledge through hands-on experience, Adams said. They can even earn industry-specific certifications and college credits and gain internship experience with local businesses. 

Due to the district’s efforts in the career and technical education space, roughly 15% of all seniors earn an associate's degree by the time they graduate, Adams said — saving students collectively an average of $4.8M of college tuition annually.

“Giving kids a head start so they don't have to take on that burden of tuition is pretty unique,” Adams said. “At the same time, we realize that college isn’t the path for everyone. So for those choosing to go right into the workforce, it equips them with the knowledge they need to succeed in their career after they graduate. It's all about creating a system where all kids have access.”

The success of Garland ISD can be measured by its graduates and their accomplishments. Adams said many of Garland’s graduates have gone on to do great things regionally and nationally. Since Garland is home to more than 300 manufacturing companies, many graduates choose to stay local due to an abundance of opportunities.

One Garland ISD class of 2018 graduate, Justice Esparza, decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and is now working in Garland at Epiroc, a manufacturer of mining and drilling tools. He described his experience at Garland ISD as “very positive,” creating opportunity for his future. 

“You have so many peers, teachers and administrators around you that are trying to elevate you in every aspect of your life,” Esparza said. “When we’re looking to hire students right out of school, we want them to have hands-on experience. Garland ISD is really helping students get their foot in the door.”

At Epiroc, Esparza said there is a program in which students in special education can intern at the company and gain valuable career and life skills. This is just one example of how local companies are partnering with the district to help provide opportunity for all students outside the classroom. 

Fellow class of 2018 graduate Taylor Enslin attended Southern Methodist University, achieving three bachelor’s degrees as a triple-major in political science, public policy and history. This year, she will graduate from The George Washington University with a Master of Studies in Law in government procurement law. 

Enslin works as a contract specialist at L3Harris Technologies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 

“From my earliest days in Garland ISD, I wasn’t just learning, I was being shaped into a thinker, communicator and problem-solver,” she said. “Now, as a contracts administrator in the aerospace and defense industry, I draw directly on those skills to navigate complex negotiations, communicate across global teams and adapt quickly in high-stakes environments.”  

These outcomes show that Garland ISD prepares students with both versatility and real-world readiness, Adams said. No matter what their field of work or study, students build technical expertise, develop professional habits and earn credentials that are valuable across workplaces.

Given Garland’s growing population, workforce readiness and talent pipeline are massive considerations for companies to take into account, whether they’re looking to relocate or to expand operations in the city, Adams said. With the strength of Garland ISD, businesses find the city a very attractive place to be — economically, socially and culturally, he said. 

“I can't remember a more exciting time for the community’s school system,” Adams said. “Everything is coming together, and it’s really creating this beautiful parallel momentum.” 

This article was produced in collaboration between the city of Garland, Texas, and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

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