Forney ISD is proud to announce the next big expansion of its choice academies for the 2025-2026 academic year, offering students more opportunities to explore their interests and passions across multiple grade levels and disciplines.
Forney ISD is proud to announce the next big expansion of its choice academies for the 2025-2026 academic year, offering students more opportunities to explore their interests and passions across multiple grade levels and disciplines.
These specialized academies are designed to ignite student engagement by fostering personal growth and academic success through tailored educational experiences. The expanded offerings will provide students with focused pathways aligned with their interests while preparing them for successful high school experiences and beyond.
"By designing academies around specific areas of interest, we're giving students the chance to dive deep into what engages and excites them," said Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Forney ISD. "This is the next phase of this innovative approach that helps students stay motivated and on track for their future while developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives. We can’t wait to expand opportunities even further in the future."
Over the next few years, Forney ISD plans to continue to expand choice opportunities and programs to meet the needs of all of our Forney families, including additional options at their home campus. Forney ISD welcomes the opportunity for feedback into these future expansions. Click here to share your ideas.
Parents and students interested in learning more about these academies are invited to attend information nights before applications open on April 2:
- Tuesday, March 18, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at The OC, 680 Innovation Blvd.
- Tuesday, April 1, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at The OC, 680 Innovation Blvd.
Frequently Asked Questions will be added to the website soon (www.forneyisd.net/academies) and questions may be submitted here.
The new offerings include five academies at The OC:
- Coding & Robotics Academy (4th-7th grades) – Inspiring the next generation of innovators through hands-on coding, robotics, and problem-solving activities.
- Entrepreneurship & Global Leadership Academy (4th-7th grades) – Empowering students to explore business, innovation, and global leadership through hands-on projects and real-world scenarios.
- Golf Academy (4th-7th grades) – Offering leveled classes with expert golf instructors to develop technique and sportsmanship while counting toward PE credit requirements.
- Swim Academy (4th-7th grades) – Building technique, endurance, and teamwork for young swimmers passionate about water athletics.
- Theater Academy (5th-6th grades) – Nurturing creativity, boosting confidence, and developing performance skills with hands-on experience and exciting performances.
The Fine Arts Academy is expanding:
- Fine Arts Academy – Currently at Smith Intermediate and expanding to Rhea Intermediate (5th-6th grades), designed to ignite creativity and passion for the arts through expert instruction in dance, visual arts, and music, including guitar and piano.
- Virtual Academy is expanding (pending legislative approval):
Virtual Academy – Allowing students in 5th-12th grades to take all classes virtually or flex onto their home campus for courses such as CTE, fine arts, athletics, or other classes, pending legislative approval.
Existing academies include:
- Dual Language Academy – Located at Wilson Elementary (K-4th grades) and Jones Intermediate (5th-6th grades), teaching students in both English and Spanish using a dual language enrichment model. 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.
- Advanced Academic & Fine Arts Academy – Located at Blackburn Elementary (K-4th grades) with entry points at each grade level, teaching music, dance, visual arts and theatre.
Both sessions will share the same information. Academy applications will open on April 2 after both information nights and will be reviewed and processed for qualifying students in the order received until spots are filled. Families with incoming kindergarten students are encouraged to attend Kindergarten roundup on March 25 at their home-zoned campus in addition to the Academy Information Night.
It's important to note that these academies are designed for choice, and parents must apply for their student(s) to attend.
For more information about Forney ISD's expanded academies, please visit www.forneyisd.net/academies or contact the district office at 469-762-4100.