Dalton Public Schools is overhauling how it organizes middle schoolers, moving to a two-school model for grades six through eight beginning with the 2027-28 school year. Each of the two middle schools will be aligned with one of the district's two high school pathways, and the shift could mean a new name for one of its existing campuses.
According to WTVC, both middle schools will serve students in grades six through eight once the change takes effect. Dalton Junior High could be renamed Dalton Middle School, and along with Hammond Creek Middle, it would become a three-year school serving sixth through eighth grades, the station reports.
That marks a significant departure from how the district currently splits up its middle-grade students. Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft explained the current setup plainly: “we have a 6-7 middle school which is Hammond Creek, and we have an eighth grade academy, which is Dalton Junior High.” Under the new model, both buildings will instead house all three grade levels, with each tied to a specific high school track.
Why the District Says It's Making the Change
District officials said the reorganization is meant to help younger students and their families understand their educational options much sooner. Per the same account, the change is intended to make it easier for students in Dalton to understand their educational pathways as early as elementary school, rather than waiting until high school enrollment to sort out which track they're on.
Craft said the district's unusual high school structure played a central role in the decision, since Dalton students choose between Dalton Academy and Dalton High School rather than attending a single comprehensive high school. Dalton Public Schools is reportedly the only school district in Georgia with two high schools serving grades 9-12, and the new middle school pairing is designed to mirror that split earlier in a student's academic career.
Craft, quoted by Fox Chattanooga, framed the goal in broader terms: “This model is designed to strengthen academic outcomes, support smaller class sizes, and give students strong opportunities in and beyond the classroom at both schools.” District officials have also said the change has been years in the making rather than a sudden decision.
Some Sixth Graders Could Switch Schools
The transition won't be seamless for every family. Some students, including current sixth graders, may switch schools when the new system takes effect, though high school students will not be impacted by the change.
Craft offered a specific example of how the shuffle could play out for some students caught in the middle of the shift: “They may only do one year at Hammond Creek and then may go do two years at Dalton Middle School.” Most high school attendance zones are expected to stay the same, with only limited adjustments, and students already enrolled in a district high school will remain at their current school.
A Year of Preparation Before the Switch
Dalton Public Schools, which enrolls about 7,100 students districtwide, plans to use the 2026-27 school year to get both middle schools ready for the new setup. That work is expected to include staffing, programming, transportation, student services, and facilities, along with other transition activities ahead of the 2027-28 launch.
Families with questions can attend one of five community information meetings the district has scheduled for November, all starting at 6:30 p.m. Craft encouraged anyone with concerns to show up to those sessions. The district has also said an official transition webpage, including feeder maps and frequently asked questions, was set to go live Friday, Oct. 30.
