Weber Teams Switch to GHSA - Atlanta Jewish Times

After nearly 20 years competing in Georgia Independent School Association athletics, the Weber School will switch to the Georgia High School Association for the 2016-17 school year.

The Jewish high school in Sandy Springs will join the Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School and 19 other schools in the newly adjusted GHSA Region 5-A.

Starting in the fall, Weber athletics will be part of the GHSA.

“We could not be more excited to make the move to GHSA starting the 2016-17 school year,” Weber Athletic Director David Moore said. “While we have enjoyed our affiliation with GISA and the relationships that we have built, a move to GHSA has always been our goal. As a member of GHSA we will be able to better, more fully support the mission of our school as we will greatly reduce our travel time to away games and our time out of class.”

AJA has competed in GHSA sports since it was formed in 2014 by a merger between Greenfield Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva Atlanta High School. Previously, Yeshiva Atlanta competed in Region 5-A of the GHSA.

AJA and Weber can now compete against each other in all sports, including basketball, which Moore said will help build a friendly athletic rivalry between the schools. The AJA Upper School, now in Doraville, is moving to AJA’s Sandy Springs campus once expansion of the Northland Drive facilities is complete.

“The GHSA is a perfect fit for AJA Upper School,” AJA Athletic Director Rick Marcellino said. “We can play either regional or nonregional, depending on the locale, and we can pick and choose to create the right schedule for our athletes. There’s also less travel time for our students than in some of the other conferences, and there are opportunities to participate in debate and drama that aren’t available in other conferences.”

More than 75 percent of Weber’s 227 students participate in at least one school sport.

GHSA membership is open to public and private high schools. Participating private schools must have at least 150 students. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and the Wesleyan School joined Weber in switching to GHSA Region 5-A for next school year.

“This change in athletic associations will allow us to compete against virtually any private or public school in metro Atlanta,” Moore said. “Our coaches and student-athletes are excited for this change and the challenge ahead in GHSA.”

Friendly Rivalry

The Weber School will compete in Region 5-A with 20 other schools.

Friendly Rivalry

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