For students with an interest in Academy For Excellence programs, Garland ISD offers similar magnet programs at elementary, middle and high school levels. Middle school is a continuation of Academy for Excellence, while high school transitions into the International Baccalaureate program.

Our elementary academies are located at Hillside, Kimberlin and Walnut Glen. Students who meet the requirements (below) may apply for this magnet program.

The Academies for Excellence program offers a unique educational experience where high achievers interact with their intellectual peers. Critical thinking, exploration and inquiry are the hallmarks of the classrooms. Seven National Blue Ribbon Schools titles between Garland ISD’s three elementary Academies illustrate a tradition of excellence demonstrated through exemplary teaching and learning.

Academy students have access to a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Beginning and advanced strings instruction gives students a creative outlet for learning music with a variety of performance opportunities. 

The Academies for Excellence not only focus on developing skills for academic success but also on personal character and civic responsibility.  With a focus on building and growing leaders, the mission of the Academies for Excellence is to foster excellence among the students, faculty and parents in order to provide an enriched learning environment that gives all students the best opportunity to reach their full potential academically and creatively. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidacy

Kimberlin Academy for Excellence and Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence are Candidate Schools* for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). These schools are pursuing authorization as IB World Schools. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education that Kimberlin Academy for Excellence and Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence believe is important for our students. 

*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit ​www.ibo.org.

Note from GISD on Hillside’s Participation: Although the official IB candidacy is listed under Kimberlin Academy for Excellence, staff from both Kimberlin and Hillside are fully involved in the training and candidacy process. This ensures that when our two schools consolidate into the new building, the entire community will be authorized together as one IB World School.

What about Gifted and Talented (G/T)?

The Academy for Excellence magnet program is not the same as gifted and talented services. Watch a video on the difference between G/T and magnet programs.