Dalton Public Schools graphic announcing community meeting information about expanding to two middle schools serving grades 6–8. The graphic features the district logo and the headline “Expanding Excellence: Two 6–8 Middle Schools.”

Dalton Public Schools Announces Two Grade 6–8 Middle Schools for 2027–28

Kendra Pannell

October 27, 2026

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton Public Schools will open the 2027–28 school year with two middle schools serving students in grades 6–8. The change will create two complete middle school communities and clearer pathways from middle school to high school.

The new model will give students a consistent three-year middle school experience and allow the district to plan enrollment, staffing, academic programs, and student supports more intentionally. It is designed to support strong academic outcomes, smaller class sizes, and additional athletic and extracurricular opportunities. Each middle school will align with one of Dalton Public Schools’ two high school pathways.

“Creating two complete middle school communities will give us more room to focus on instruction, student support, and relationships,” Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft said. “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.”

Most high school attendance zones will remain the same, with limited adjustments. Students already enrolled in a district high school will remain at their current school.

Dalton Public Schools is using the 2026–27 school year to prepare both middle schools for opening. Work includes staffing, academic and extracurricular programming, transportation, student services, facility preparation, and student orientation and transition activities.

Families are invited to attend community information meetings to learn more and ask questions. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. at the locations below:

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Blue Ridge School cafeteria

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026: 

    Hammond Creek Middle School cafeteria

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026: 

    Dalton Middle School cafeteria

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026: 

    Park Creek School cafeteria

  • Thursday, November 19, 2026: 

    City Park School auditorium

Spanish-language interpretation will be available.

The official qtransition webpage will go live Friday, October 30, at www.daltonpublicschools.com. Families can find additional information, feeder maps, frequently asked questions, and meeting information, and submit questions.The webpage will be updated on a rolling basis throughout the transition year.

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