The Garland ISD Faith-Based Partnership Council is a district-led initiative that brings together local churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith-based organizations to support students, families, and schools. Modeled after other successful Faith Councils, this partnership leverages the reach and compassion of Garland’s diverse faith community to meet real needs in our schools.

Partner Commitments

Participating organizations are invited to adopt a school and support efforts in the following areas:

• Faith-Based Council Participation
  Engage in monthly meetings to share ideas, identify needs, and align efforts with district goals.
• Volunteering
  Provide adult volunteers to support schools through mentoring, tutoring, event assistance, and staff appreciation.
• Enrollment & Daily Attendance Support
  Promote student enrollment and consistent attendance through outreach, encouragement, and community messaging.
• Campus Beautification
  Lead or assist with projects that improve school environments—gardens, murals, clean-up days, and more.
• Standardized Dress / Uniform Closet
  Organize or contribute to school clothing closets to ensure all students have access to required attire.
• Parent Workshops
  Host or help facilitate workshops that equip families with tools to support student learning and development.

How It Works

Partners work collaboratively with the Family and Community Engagement Department to identify the campus or department that best aligns with their goals and desired outcomes. Some partners choose to support specific campuses based on factors such as location, student demographics, or community needs. Because every partnership is unique, each one is thoughtfully designed, regularly evaluated, and adjusted as needed to ensure it meets the evolving needs of both the partner and the school or department. This customized approach ensures that all collaborations are meaningful, effective, and mutually beneficial.

Monthly Council Meetings (August–May)

Sessions include partner check-ins, district updates, and resource discussions.

• July 31
• Aug. 28
• Sept. 22
• Oct. 30
• Jan. 29, 2026
• March 26, 2026
• April 30, 2026
• May -TBD

Campus  or department partnership

Partners are invited to meet virtually to share information about their organization and goals in a collaborative conversation to explore potential alignment and determine if the partnership is a good mutual fit.

• Begin MOU process with the organization
• Partnership with specific campus(es) or departments formalized

Training and tools

GISD provides orientation, volunteer training, support materials, feedback tracking, and program evaluation.
 

Why it matters

When schools and faith communities work together, students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Research has shown that partnerships between educational institutions and faith-based organizations can lead to increased student engagement, improved academic outcomes, and stronger support networks for families 

These partnerships often provide mentoring, after-school programs, and access to essential resources that schools alone may not be able to offer. The establishment of this council provides a meaningful and structured way to uplift youth by promoting positive character development and resilience through faith-informed guidance and service-learning opportunities. 

Moreover, such collaborations help to strengthen families by fostering trust, promoting culturally responsive practices, and encouraging active parental involvement in the educational process.

 Ultimately, unifying our community around education and service creates a shared vision and collective investment in student success, contributing to greater educational equity and community well-being.