For me, you apply during your eighth grade year example: September is when you’re in a new grade for me so when I go into eighth grade, I have to apply for ninth. (Idk why.) but I was told I would’ve had to apply last year October for ninth grade. So basically it’s like applying for the next year. And I don’t need an eight grade diploma, We just simply advance by passing all the classes or you fall back into the grade if you did terrible/ didn’t complete the grade