Forsyth board approves Alliance Academy students’ access to GHSA activities at base schools; eSports and literary to remain at Alliance

The Forsyth County Board of Education on March 18 unanimously approved procedural guidelines allowing students enrolled at Alliance Academy for Innovation to participate in Georgia High School Association (GHSA) activities at the district school to which they are zoned, provided those activities are not offered at Alliance.

The change, proposed by Dr. Josh Lowe during a presentation on Alliance operations, responds to a GHSA rule change and to requests from students and families seeking extracurricular access. Dr. Lowe told the board the policy would allow students to take part in GHSA-sanctioned sports and events at their base (zoned) school beginning with the 2025–26 school year, while Alliance itself plans to offer GHSA literary competition and GHSA eSports.

Dr. Lowe explained key limits built into the proposal: under the GHSA provision cited during the presentation (identified in the meeting as "by law 1.62N"), a student may participate for only one GHSA school at a time. That means a student who chooses to play football at their base school would not be eligible to compete in GHSA literary or eSports at Alliance, and vice versa. "Correct, and they also could not do those 2 activities at West," Dr. Lowe said during the board discussion, referring to the example of a student zoned to West Forsyth High School.

Board members asked how the change would be implemented. The district said parents and students must contact the athletic director at the student’s base school to establish eligibility and that Alliance will provide contact information. Students and families are responsible for any transportation outside existing bus pickup and drop-off windows; the district noted buses between Alliance and base schools run at set times and will not be extended to meet all practice schedules. Dr. Lowe also recommended updating Alliance communications and procedures; because the 2025–26 Alliance lottery and admissions cycle were already closed, the district recommended applying the procedural change to students already admitted for next year.

Board Member Wes McCall moved to adopt the procedural guidelines Dr. Lowe proposed; the motion passed unanimously. Board members and staff said they expected initial implementation questions but emphasized the change was intended to expand participation opportunities while remaining consistent with GHSA rules.

The board did not adopt a new formal policy language at the meeting; it recorded a procedural vote of support to implement the adjustments described in Dr. Lowe’s presentation.