Original Research by School Decision on Naaman Forest H S
Naaman Forest High School serves students in grades nine through twelve in Garland, a mature, built-out city in northeast Dallas County that mixes established residential neighborhoods with commercial corridors and green space. The school enrolls a diverse student body with a substantial majority identifying as Hispanic, a meaningful share as Black, and smaller shares of Asian, white, and multiracial students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, marking the school's student population as economically working-class.
The school sits within Garland ISD, which has undergone several significant changes in recent years. Voters approved a major bond in 2023 for facility modernization and safety improvements, and the district adopted a consolidation plan that began closing or merging elementary campuses in 2024-25 to respond to declining enrollment and funding pressures. In November 2025, voters approved an increase to the property tax rate, a lasting change for homeowners aimed at closing a budget shortfall and supporting teacher and staff retention. The district has also adopted a district-wide curriculum framework centered on high-quality instructional materials, explicit instruction, and aligned assessments using STAAR, i-Ready diagnostics, and Texas standards. These shifts mean families should expect changes in instruction, assessment, and property-tax costs as part of the district's current trajectory.
Academically, Naaman Forest's performance in 2024-25 shows strength in science and mathematics approach-level proficiency, with most students meeting the baseline threshold in those subjects. Performance in English language arts is notably lower, with a smaller share of students meeting or exceeding proficiency. Social studies shows solid approach-level performance but modest mastery. Across all subjects, the proportion of students reaching the highest "masters" performance level remains limited. This profile suggests students are building foundational skills in quantitative and scientific reasoning but face greater difficulty with complex reading and writing. A parent may want to look into what supports the school offers for students working toward stronger performance in literacy and what pathways exist for students to move from meets to masters level.
The school does not report data on the share of students in special education or who are English learners; state testing data available does not include graduation rates, which are not yet published for this school year. The school's environment and disciplinary context were not provided in available records.
Garland itself is a car-oriented city where most residents drive alone to work. The school's specific program offerings, such as career pathways, Advanced Placement, or dual-credit courses, were not available. Prospective families should check directly with Naaman Forest about the breadth of coursework, athletic options, and academic support services to understand what the school offers beyond the core tested subjects.
The housing market in the 75040 ZIP code that includes the school is moderately priced relative to the state and nation, with homeownership costs reflecting recent modest declines. Rental costs remain stable. This makes the area accessible to working families, though the district's recent tax increases will raise carrying costs for homeowners going forward.
See more original research from School Decision →