Academies FAQs

Forney ISD will host 2 general information sessions for all Academies, followed by an Academy Fair, where families can visit tables for each of the Academies for more information. The events will be hosted on Tuesday, March 18 and Tuesday, April 1 both at 6 p.m. in the View at the OC, 680 Innovation Blvd.  Families only need to attend one night, and the same information will be shared both evenings.

They only need to attend if they are considering transferring to a different academy

Applications open April 2 for the 2025 academic year. Information on requirements and testing will be available at the Academy Information Meetings. Each academy has an evaluation process tailored to skills and talents that align foundationally to the academy. Academy acceptance is part of the Forney ISD transfer process.

Academies follow a unique educational approach; therefore, students are expected to uphold higher behavioral standards in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and the Academy Handbook. Academy students must maintain academic and performance standards including but not limited to: On or above grade level as evidenced by standardized assessments and maintain academic standards in all classes. Students must be in good standing with attendance. Families and students must be engaged in the program. Where applicable, students are expected to participate and perform in programs, showcases, and displays. Failure to meet academy expectations may result in students being placed on probation or exited from the academy.

1. April 2 - Applications will open
2. April 15 - Completed applications will begin being reviewed
3. If qualifications are met, students will be contacted for specific academy evaluation processes.
4. Spots will be allocated based on the order in which completed applications are submitted, once qualifications are met.
5. Waitlist will be created until all spots are filled.

Virtual Academy applications will not be processed until final legislation is determined.

During the application process, you may indicate your interest in more than one Academy, but you will be asked to rank in order of preference, up to 3 academies. Applications will be processed in order of preference starting with the 1st choice until enrollment is full. 

Because enrollment in an Academy is not guaranteed, we encourage families to attend Kindergarten Roundup or campus informational nights at their home-zoned schools to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming school year. Kindergarten round-up is March 25th

Academies take place during the school day, but may offer after school activities.

Yes. This is the first phase toward providing more choice Academies. Forney ISD welcomes the opportunity for feedback into these future expansions. Click here to share your ideas.

Yes.  They would follow the same process by attending the informational nights, enrolling in Forney ISD, and applying to an academy starting April 2.

You always have the option to do what you feel is best for your student. We do ask families for a 1 year commitment in most Academies. If they do not feel the Academy is a fit for them, they may re-enroll at their home-zoned school at any point, and re-apply for a different Academy in the spring for the following school year. Dual Language for native English speakers is only available for incoming kindergarten students and the curriculum builds upon itself through 6th grade. Therefore a 7 year commitment is requested for Dual Language. Students that choose to exit Dual Language to attend their home-zoned campus may not be able to return to Dual Language.

Due to the specialized nature of each Academy program, students may not be enrolled in more than one academy.  However, Academies at the OC may have experiences for students in each of the programs at the OC. Pending current legislation, students may be enrolled in some virtual courses for 5th-12th grade and another Academy program. We’ll have to explore options based on an individualized basis.  It will be dependent upon master schedules for campuses and academies as well as parent/guardian transportation.

Based on enrollment for the upcoming school year, times for the Academies will be announced in summer 2025 when we announce start and end times for all Forney ISD campuses.

There is no cost to attend an Academy, but families may be responsible for additional private lessons or supply fees, such as swimsuits, golf clubs, school supplies, etc

Yes. Once a student is accepted, they would discuss course requests with the academy staff.

No. Once a student is accepted to an academy they do not reapply annually unless they decide to transfer to a different academy.  When re-applying they must meet academy requirements.

The number of students in each academy depends upon the facilities, the interest in each program, and the number of qualifying students.

Each applicant is considered on an individual basis.

Currently, students attending Academies in-person must either live in Forney ISD boundaries to attend or Forney ISD staff may enroll their students in FISD schools. For the Virtual Academy, you do not have to live within Forney ISD boundaries. As a reminder, Virtual Academy is still pending legislation.

Yes.  More information on credit advancement will be available at a later date.

Currently, students will return to their high school campuses or the Virtual Academy that will connect with career pathway opportunities for 9th-12th grade.

The application will open at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Yes. The goal is to expand the 4th-7th grade Academies at the OC into 8th grade in 2026-2027.  The Theater Academy will remain at the 5th-6th grade level. Students return to their home campus for 7th-8th grade where UIL competitions begin.

Our food service partner, Aramark, will serve in the cafeteria at the Academies at the OC, just like in previous years as they served the Early Childhood Center students. This is similar to cafeterias at their home-zoned campus.

The Forney ISD Aquatic Training Center is next to the OC for students in the Swim Academy, and FISD recently approved the purchase of two golf simulators for the OC that will serve our Golf Academy students and high school golf teams.

For programs of choice, such as Academies at the OC, transportation is not provided.

At this time, the Academies at the OC are designed to offer unique athletic and fine arts experiences.  By applying and being accepted into an OC Academy, students and parents are choosing these specific options.

School transportation will be provided.

No. They will not need to enroll at the OC.  They will enroll with Forney ISD and be assigned to their home zoned campus while applying to an academy.

Yes, students in the swim academy will meet their P.E. requirement through swim.

Students attending the Academies at the OC will have the same core content options as students at 4th-7th grade across the district, including on-level and advanced courses. AP courses are open enrollment to all students.

Students in the Academies grades 5-7 will have access to the same GT services as other students in the district.

Students will have Academics (RLA, Math, Sci, Social Studies, and IRL) similar to other 4th-7th grade students across the district as well as Academy time. More information on their Academy time will be provided at a future parent meeting.

Entrepreneurship I and II are currently offered at the high school level.

During most academic time, students are in the secured part of the building. When Academy students enter shared spaces, such as the OC Theater, they will do so with their teacher.

Music is included through the state Fine Arts requirement and will be met as a part of each student’s curriculum.

Yes. Advanced core courses are available for all 5th-6th grade students, not just those in the Fine Arts Academy. Those in the Academy may choose to continue advanced courses or select on-grade level courses for their core.

Yes. Advanced core courses are available for all 5th-8th grade students, not just those in the Fine Arts Academy. At the 7th and 8th grade level, students return to their home-zoned middle school campuses to continue as leaders in fine arts and compete in UIL.

Yes. They will remain with other Academy students in their core classes.

For current 5th grade students in the Fine Arts Academy at Smith, they would be enrolled as 6th grade students in the Fine Arts Academy at either Smith or Rhea based on their attendance zone. However, this year a current 5th grade student zoned for Rhea would be allowed to apply for a transfer to remain at Smith for their 6th grade year in 2025-2026.

Yes. The Theatre Academy is a new, separate Academy from Fine Arts.

Since AAFAA and the Fine Arts Academy are programs of choice, transportation is not provided, unless the student already lives in the Blackburn, Smith or Rhea attendance zone (their home-zoned campus) and are bus eligible.

We appreciate our families taking time to submit their questions. Based on feedback from our current Fine Arts Academy families, theatre, dance, music and visual arts will continue to all be a part of the 5th and 6th grade Fine Arts Academy at Smith and expand to Rhea for 2025-2026. 

With theatre continuing as a part of the Fine Arts Academy, piano will not be added due to facility space at Rhea and Smith. 

The initial discussion to begin the Theatre Academy at the OC was based on the facilities already at the OC. The Theatre Academy may include performance opportunities, voice over exposure in the recording studio, hands-on technical theatre experiences such as sound, lighting, and costume design, and explore career specific pathways in theatre. 

Yes. They may apply for the Fine Art Academy at Rhea (if zoned for Jones or Rhea) or Smith (if zoned for Rhodes or Smith).

Humanities will still be offered at both Rhea and Smith.

Native English speakers may only enter at kindergarten level and build upon this foundation each year. Identified emergent bilinguals in Spanish may enter at any grade level, Pre-K-6th. If a student is in a dual language program in another district and transfers into Forney ISD, they may apply and be assessed for possible entrance into the program.

As in previous years, bus transportation is provided from the home-zoned campus to the Dual Language Academy at Wilson and Jones for those identified as emerging bilingual Spanish speakers. Native English speakers may also utilize bus transportation from their home campus to Wilson or Jones as long as space is available.

Currently, Virtual Academy is pending legislation. If approved, more details regarding the Virtual Academy will be shared based upon what’s included in final legislation.