Middle Schools in Dalton Public Schools

Dalton Public Schools is home to two middle schools—Hammond Creek Middle School (grades 6–8, about 1,057 students) and Dalton Junior High School (grade 8 only, about 517 students)—serving roughly 1,574 students in the Dalton, Georgia area. The district ranks in the 43rd percentile statewide, and both schools serve similar socioeconomic populations, with about 72% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Hammond Creek Middle School is the steadier performer, holding a 3-star rating for three straight years and ranking in the 67th percentile. Its math proficiency is above state averages in both 6th grade (50.1% vs. 40.7%) and 7th grade (47.8% vs. 42.0%), and it improved in both subjects from the prior year. The school also posts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.3%—about half the state average of 17.7%—despite serving a similar demographic profile as its counterpart. In contrast, Dalton Junior High School holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 44th percentile. Its 8th-grade math proficiency (49.4%) is slightly above the state average (46.3%), but its science proficiency is a major concern at just 12.2% versus the state’s 29.7%, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 16.0% is nearly double Hammond Creek’s.

The most striking difference is in advanced coursework. Dalton Junior High School achieves an extraordinary 98.6% proficiency on the Algebra I End of Course exam—nearly double the district and state averages—and hit 100% the prior year. This suggests a highly effective, likely selective advanced math track, even as its general 8th-grade math scores hover near state levels. The school also spends more per student ($16,959 vs. $15,204) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (9.9 vs. 12.0), yet still ranks lower overall. For parents, Hammond Creek offers consistent, above-average academics and strong attendance, while Dalton JHS provides exceptional advanced math opportunities but struggles with broader subject performance and attendance. ELA scores for 2025-2026 will be released in December, so no conclusions are drawn from that missing data.