There are two key reasons for the timeline.
First, based on GHSSA rules, each 9th grade Dalton Public School System student will be registered to the 10-12 High School of their choice for purposes of sports eligibility. Registered students will have the option to switch schools one time and retain their eligibility for play in that school year. A second registration change would bring a one-year moratorium on athletic participation.
Second, the timing allows students to select their college / career pathway and begin the sequence of coursework to earn a pathway completion seal on their high school diploma. Research shows when students are able to connect their high school coursework to their career aspirations, they are significantly more engaged in their education. Our goal is to keep engagement high among our students!