DALLAS, GA — Once the school year gets underway, many families start looking for the same thing: a reliable, realistic plan for the hours between dismissal and dinner.
In Dallas, parents have a mix of options to consider, from school-based programs and town recreation to dance, martial arts, sports and library activities. Availability, ages and registration deadlines can change, so families should always check directly with each program before making plans.
For many Dallas families, the most convenient place to begin is through Paulding County School District, which serves the entire county from pre-K through 12th grade.
Since Dallas is home to several of the district's high schools, which one your student attends depends on your specific neighborhood — Paulding County High, North Paulding, and East Paulding all sit within the greater Dallas area. Paulding County High's Patriot Sports site covers the full GHSA athletic lineup, from football and softball to soccer and wrestling, and each school also offers a range of fine arts and academic clubs.
The City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department is another useful starting point, especially for families looking for seasonal activities, sports or school-break programming.
Based out of Sara Babb Park, the department runs a summer camp program along with seasonal recreational sports and community events like the annual Breakfast with Santa. Since Dallas sits within Paulding County, families can also tap into the Paulding County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department, which runs additional athletics, classes and special events at parks throughout the area.
The Dallas Youth Association, based out of Sara Babb Park, is one of several county-affiliated youth sports groups offering baseball, softball, football and cheerleading for local kids.
For soccer, the Southern Soccer Academy's Paulding Recreational Program serves families in Dallas, Hiram and Rockmart, with games played at the Samuel U. Braly Sports Complex.
Families looking for activities beyond traditional sports may want to explore local studios and fitness-based programs.
Studio Dance Inc has been Paulding County's go-to dance studio for over two decades, offering ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and lyrical classes for dancers as young as 2. For gymnastics, Paulding Gymnastics has served Dallas families since 2002, with a 17,000-square-foot facility offering everything from preschool classes to competitive gymnastics and cheerleading.
The Dallas Public Library, part of the West Georgia Regional Library System, is a helpful stop for families looking for low-cost or no-cost activities.
Along with the usual mix of storytimes and reading programs, the library offers free passes to attractions like Zoo Atlanta and area state parks and historic sites with a valid library card. Paulding County students also get a PLAY Card through their school, giving them access to library resources using just their student ID.
Depending on a family's schedule, nearby programs in Hiram, Powder Springs or other surrounding communities may also be worth considering.
The City of Hiram Parks and Recreation offers its own community facilities and programming just down the road, and the Powder Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department runs youth sports and cultural programming out of Wild Horse Creek Park and the Ron Anderson Recreation Center.
Before committing to an after-school program, parents may want to ask:
After-school plans can take some trial and error, but Dallas families have a range of places to start. Whether a child needs care, a creative outlet, homework support or a new sport, checking early can make the school-year routine much easier to manage.
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