Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School graduate Zacari Garcia!
Zacari Garcia was a driven member of the class of 2026 who not only spread positivity throughout her school community but also prioritized her passions and excelled at them year after year! During her time at Dalton High School, Zacari was part of a variety of unique extracurriculars, including Swimming and Diving, Track, Color Guard, JROTC, and JROTC Raiders, a highly physical extracurricular team for high school cadets. Along with this, Zacari took on multiple leadership roles within her school as a member of the Student Council and founded the Hispanics of Purpose and Education (HoPe) chapter. She was also a leader within her broader community, participating in the Youth United Way Council and the L.I.F.T. Club. Within these extracurriculars, Zacari accomplished many different feats, such as organizing the first QuinceaƱera Runway Show with the HoPe team, serving as the Color Guard Commander, and earning the Unit Honor of Distinction, the highest accreditation rating a JROTC program can earn, and an achievement Zacari is extremely proud of. Along with these achievements, Zacari was selected by her peers to serve on the homecoming court for all four years of high school, being chosen as princess three years in a row and crowned homecoming queen her senior year! In the fall, Zacari plans to attend the University of North Georgia, where she previously participated in the National Leadership Challenge, an immersive weekend hosted by the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets designed to give high schoolers a firsthand look at cadet life on campus. There, she plans to study Strategic and Security Studies with a concentration in International Affairs. Zacari Garcia was a changemaker within her school, initiating real change throughout her four years of high school and leading her peers with compassion! We are immensely proud to have had her as a member of our Dalton Public Schools community, and we are sure that she will continue to make a difference in whatever community she joins next.
Way to go Zacari!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School graduate Zacari Garcia!
Zacari Garcia was a driven member of the class of 2026 who not only spread positivity throughout her school community but also prioritized her passions and excelled at them year after year! During her time at Dalton High School, Zacari was part of a variety of unique extracurriculars, including Swimming and Diving, Track, Color Guard, JROTC, and JROTC Raiders, a highly physical extracurricular team for high school cadets. Along with this, Zacari took on multiple leadership roles within her school as a member of the Student Council and founded the Hispanics of Purpose and Education (HoPe) chapter. She was also a leader within her broader community, participating in the Youth United Way Council and the L.I.F.T. Club. Within these extracurriculars, Zacari accomplished many different feats, such as organizing the first QuinceaƱera Runway Show with the HoPe team, serving as the Color Guard Commander, and earning the Unit Honor of Distinction, the highest accreditation rating a JROTC program can earn, and an achievement Zacari is extremely proud of. Along with these achievements, Zacari was selected by her peers to serve on the homecoming court for all four years of high school, being chosen as princess three years in a row and crowned homecoming queen her senior year! In the fall, Zacari plans to attend the University of North Georgia, where she previously participated in the National Leadership Challenge, an immersive weekend hosted by the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets designed to give high schoolers a firsthand look at cadet life on campus. There, she plans to study Strategic and Security Studies with a concentration in International Affairs. Zacari Garcia was a changemaker within her school, initiating real change throughout her four years of high school and leading her peers with compassion! We are immensely proud to have had her as a member of our Dalton Public Schools community, and we are sure that she will continue to make a difference in whatever community she joins next.
Way to go Zacari!
š A full-circle moment for Dalton Public Schools!
We are beyond proud to announce that JJ Anderson, a dedicated first-grade teacher at Westwood School, has been named the 2026 District Teacher of the Year! As a proud product of Dalton Public Schools herself, JJās journey from a DPS studentābuilding connections in the Buddy Program and Early Childhood Education pathwayāto returning to teach in the district that raised her is a true testament to our DPS culture. In her classroom, JJ leads with heart, using structured literacy practices to build confident, lifelong readers, while also serving as Westwoodās first-grade chair, a district literacy leader, and the Head Softball Coach for Dalton High School. š
During Convocation, JJ was surprised with a $500 award and a brand-new vehicle lease generously donated by Ford of Dalton to celebrate her incredible impact on our students and community! We also want to extend a huge congratulations to all of our incredible 2026 School-Level Teachers of the Year: Angie Edwards (Blue Ridge), Shea McFadden (Brookwood), Kimberly Jimenez (City Park), Cody Smith (Dalton High), Selena Rios (Dalton Junior High), Yebel Garcia (Hammond Creek Middle), Briana Cloud (Park Creek), Nadxelly Ramirez (Roan), and Katie Sloan (The Dalton Academy). š
Special thanks to Ford of Dalton, the Dalton Education Foundation, and all of our local sponsors for continuing to honor and support our extraordinary educators. Join us in celebrating JJ and all of our incredible Teachers of the Year!
šRead more about JJ Anderson and our 2026 Teachers of the Year here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3053751
šŖ Welcome to "The Greatest Show in Education!"
DPS faculty, staff, and administrators gathered at Dalton High School to celebrate the start of the 2026ā2027 school year with unmatched energy, harmony, and incredible district pride! The competition was fierce, but Park Creek School took home the Elementary Spirit Belt and Hammond Creek Middle School defended their title for a 3rd straight year to win the Secondary Spirit Belt! š
Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft set an inspiring tone for the year ahead, celebrating the dedicated people who make our district extraordinary. We capped off the event by honoring City Parkās Kassie Ayers as District Classified Staff Member of the Year and Westwoodās JJ Anderson as District Teacher of the Yearāwho is driving into the new school year with a new ride from Ford of Dalton!
Special thanks to the Dalton Education Foundation, The Dalton Board of Education, and our amazing community partners for supporting our schools. Letās make this school year one for the record books! š
šRead more about the Annual Employee Convocation here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3053711
š¾š THE NFLāS HIGHEST-PAID RUNNING BACK IS A CATAMOUNT.
From the lights of Harmon Field to the biggest stage in football, Jahmyr Gibbs is still making history.
The former Dalton High School standout has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions, becoming the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
But before Sundays in Detroit, Gibbs was wearing the red and white of Dalton High School. He finished his Catamount career with 4,882 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, including a remarkable senior season with 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns.
From Dalton to Detroit, the journey continues ā and Catamount Nation couldnāt be prouder.
Congratulations, Jahmyr! Keep making Dalton proud. š¾š
#DaltonPublicSchools #DaltonHighSchool #Catamounts #JahmyrGibbs
šøChattanooga Times Free Press Staff Photo by Robin Rudd
From the lights of Harmon Field to the biggest stage in football, Jahmyr Gibbs is still making history.
The former Dalton High School standout has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions, becoming the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
But before Sundays in Detroit, Gibbs was wearing the red and white of Dalton High School. He finished his Catamount career with 4,882 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, including a remarkable senior season with 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns.
From Dalton to Detroit, the journey continues ā and Catamount Nation couldnāt be prouder.
Congratulations, Jahmyr! Keep making Dalton proud. š¾š
#DaltonPublicSchools #DaltonHighSchool #Catamounts #JahmyrGibbs
šøChattanooga Times Free Press Staff Photo by Robin Rudd
Turning Hospitality Inside Out: We are thrilled to share that Dalton Public Schools is featured in the latest issue of Apptegyās SchoolCEO magazine! šāØ
In DPS, welcoming our families and creating a sense of belonging begins on the inside. True school hospitality starts with how we care for, listen to, and support our own staff, teachers, and school cultureābecause when our internal team flourishes, our whole community feels it.
As Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft puts it:
"We exist to serveāour schools, our community, our kidsāand having those honest conversations with people and being responsive to them has always been key." ā Dr. Steven Craft, Superintendent
Check out the Summer 2026 issue to read the feature and learn more about how DPS continues to innovate, lead, and inspire:
š https://www.apptegy.com/schoolceo/summer-2026/
Dalton Public Schools extends its sincere gratitude to CleanSpark for their generous donation of backpacks to the Kindergarten students at City Park School. š
Providing our youngest learners with essential school supplies helps set the foundation for a successful academic year. We deeply appreciate CleanSpark's strong commitment to our schools and their dedication to investing in the future of our students. Thank you for being an outstanding community partner.
Providing our youngest learners with essential school supplies helps set the foundation for a successful academic year. We deeply appreciate CleanSpark's strong commitment to our schools and their dedication to investing in the future of our students. Thank you for being an outstanding community partner.
Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School graduate Preston Cox!
Throughout his time at Dalton High School, Preston Cox was an exceptional student-athlete who excelled both in the classroom and on the field. He maintained a 3.7 GPA while also being a 3-time Scholar Athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, and actively participated in the DHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Preston was a four-year varsity starter in football at defensive end and in lacrosse as a long stick defender, as well as a two-year varsity starter in track and field. His athletic accomplishments include being named a varsity starter in two sports as a freshman, earning MVP awards in football and lacrosse, receiving All-Region honors in football, and helping lead his football team to playoff appearances in three different seasons. When looking back at his high school journey, Preston fondly remembers the large, diverse group of friends he made, along with special moments like defeating Calhoun during his sophomore football season. This fall, Preston will attend Maryville College in Tennessee on a football scholarship to major in Mechanical Engineering, pursuing his lifelong passion to design, build, and work in research and development for performance cars. Dalton Public Schools is incredibly proud of Prestonās academic and athletic dedication, and we look forward to seeing all he accomplishes in the future!
Way to go Preston Cox!
Celebrating our rising Pre-K and Kindergarten Summer Transition Program students as they took their big steps into the new school year! šāØ
We want to wish every single one of our STP students the absolute best. We already know you're shining bright in your classrooms thanks to all your hard work this summer! We canāt wait to see all that you accomplish this year.
#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
We want to wish every single one of our STP students the absolute best. We already know you're shining bright in your classrooms thanks to all your hard work this summer! We canāt wait to see all that you accomplish this year.
#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural LEAD DPS (Learn. Empower. Advance. Develop.) program, a yearlong leadership development initiative designed to identify, cultivate, and prepare future leaders within the district.
Following a competitive application and interview process, 13 educators and staff members have been selected to participate in the first LEAD DPS cohort. The program reflects the district's commitment to developing a sustainable leadership pipeline while investing in employees who demonstrate strong leadership potential, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to positively impact students, staff, families, and the broader school community.
Read more about the inaugural LEAD DPS cohort: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3048085
#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Following a competitive application and interview process, 13 educators and staff members have been selected to participate in the first LEAD DPS cohort. The program reflects the district's commitment to developing a sustainable leadership pipeline while investing in employees who demonstrate strong leadership potential, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to positively impact students, staff, families, and the broader school community.
Read more about the inaugural LEAD DPS cohort: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3048085
#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Brookwood, Westwood, and Dalton High families: Free & Reduced Lunch Applications Are Now Available ā in English & Spanish!
The 2026ā2027 Free & Reduced Lunch Application is open!
Everyone is encouraged to complete a new application each year, even if youāve qualified in the past.
Submit your application by September 1, 2026. A new application is required each year, and last yearās status will expire on September 18.
Apply online or pick up a limited paper copy at the front office of any Dalton school.
ENGLISH: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/DaltonPS_GA?langid=1
SPANISH: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/DaltonPS_GA?langid=2
š Itās About More Than a Meal!
ā
Access to free or reduced prices on healthy, delicious meals
ā
Discounted fees for SAT, ACT, and AP exams
ā
Eligibility for college scholarships and academic programs
ā
Helps maintain critical student services and enrichment programs
Take a few minutes to applyāitās a small step that supports big opportunities for your student!
A huge thank you to our incredible partners at Ford of Dalton!
Today, our 2025 District Teacher of the Year, Nicole Gillispie, officially turned in the keys to the new car graciously provided by Ford of Dalton. Last August at our Annual Employee Convocation, Nicole was awarded a free one-year lease to celebrate her remarkable dedication to our students.
We are beyond grateful for Ford of Daltonās long-time commitment to celebrating excellence in education. And the best part? We get to extend this amazing partnership and hand over the keys to our next Teacher of the Year tomorrow! Stay tuned! šš
#DaltonPublicSchools #TeacherOfTheYear #CommunityPartners #FordOfDalton #LearnLeadSucceed
Today, our 2025 District Teacher of the Year, Nicole Gillispie, officially turned in the keys to the new car graciously provided by Ford of Dalton. Last August at our Annual Employee Convocation, Nicole was awarded a free one-year lease to celebrate her remarkable dedication to our students.
We are beyond grateful for Ford of Daltonās long-time commitment to celebrating excellence in education. And the best part? We get to extend this amazing partnership and hand over the keys to our next Teacher of the Year tomorrow! Stay tuned! šš
#DaltonPublicSchools #TeacherOfTheYear #CommunityPartners #FordOfDalton #LearnLeadSucceed
Throwback Thursday: First Day of School ā25 āļø
Looking back at last yearās photos to bring the hype for the new school year! How are you capturing your memories this time around? šø #TBT #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Looking back at last yearās photos to bring the hype for the new school year! How are you capturing your memories this time around? šø #TBT #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
š
Don't forget!
School orientations across Dalton Public Schools will take place on Monday, August 3, 2026. Get ready to kick off the 2026-2027 school year!
š“ Elementary Schools
Blue Ridge School: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Brookwood School: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
City Park School: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Park Creek School: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
ROAN SCHOOL: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Mack Gaston Community Center 218 N. Fredrick St. Dalton GA 30720
Westwood School: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
š“ Hammond Creek Middle School
6th Grade ONLY: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
7th Grade ONLY: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
š“ Dalton Junior High School
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
š“ Dalton High School
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
š“ The Dalton Academy
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
š“ The Cyber Academy
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
We canāt wait to welcome our students and families back for another great school year!
š Bus Routes Now Available!
Our bus routes are now live on this webpage: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/bus-routes
Be sure to check your route ahead of time so you know what bus you'll be taking before school starts!
š£ Reminder: The back-to-school season is always an exciting time, but it may also require a bit of adjustment as we all settle back into our routines. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to ensure a smooth start to the year.
We canāt wait to welcome everyone back! #DPSFirstDay #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Our bus routes are now live on this webpage: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/bus-routes
Be sure to check your route ahead of time so you know what bus you'll be taking before school starts!
š£ Reminder: The back-to-school season is always an exciting time, but it may also require a bit of adjustment as we all settle back into our routines. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to ensure a smooth start to the year.
We canāt wait to welcome everyone back! #DPSFirstDay #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
PEACH TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Looking to support education and save on taxes? Learn how you can benefit from the Peach Tax Credit program with Dalton Public Schools!
Visit https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/peach-education-tax-credit for more details!
Visit https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/peach-education-tax-credit for more details!
Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton Academy graduate Haley Marquez-Nieves!
During her time at The Dalton Academy, Haley Marquez-Nieves was an exceptional and highly involved student who made the absolute most of every opportunity. On campus, she participated in volleyball, soccer, flag football, Translation Academy, and served all four years on the Student Council. Haleyās hard work led to remarkable achievements, including winning a Young Georgia Authors award, maintaining solid grades, and graduating, a milestone that honors the sacrifices her parents made to give their children a thriving future. When she looks back at her high school journey, her favorite memories are being able to grab morning coffee with her friends and having opportunities to bond with her classmates. This fall, Haley will attend Dalton State College to pursue social work and human resources, with dreams of one day opening her own practice in adolescent therapy to ensure every child feels heard and supported. Dalton Public Schools is incredibly proud of Haleyās passion and dedication, and we look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in the future!
Way to go Haley!
2026-27 School Year Schedules Announced!
š¢ High Schools: 7:30 AM ā 2:15 PM
Dalton High drop-off: begins at 6:45 AM
The Dalton Academy drop-off: begins at 6:50 AM
š Middle Schools: 8:05 AM ā 3:00 PM
Drop-off begins at 7:30 AM
š£ Elementary Schools: 8:30 AM ā 3:25 PM
Drop-off begins at 7:30 AM
Letās get ready for a great year!
š¢ High Schools: 7:30 AM ā 2:15 PM
Dalton High drop-off: begins at 6:45 AM
The Dalton Academy drop-off: begins at 6:50 AM
š Middle Schools: 8:05 AM ā 3:00 PM
Drop-off begins at 7:30 AM
š£ Elementary Schools: 8:30 AM ā 3:25 PM
Drop-off begins at 7:30 AM
Letās get ready for a great year!
Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School graduate Maria Carla Cuervo!
Throughout her time at Dalton High School, Maria Carla Cuervo was an exceptionally dedicated student who demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment to her education. As an immigrant student, she had to adapt to a new country, language, and culture. Despite facing many challenges, she was able to pass the ESL test, maintain Aās and Bās, take AP and IB courses, and complete Dual Enrollment classes at Dalton State College. Maria was also involved in the DHS HoPe Club and the National Honor Society, all while balancing her academic responsibilities with work and personal growth. Her greatest achievements include receiving honor recognition in subjects like biology, math, history, and literature, as well as graduating and continuing her education. When she looks back at her high school journey, her favorite memories remain the deep connections made with her friends and wonderful teachers. This fall, Maria will attend Dalton State College to pursue a Bachelorās degree in Finance, aiming to expand her business knowledge and help immigrants manage and achieve financial stability. Dalton Public Schools is incredibly proud of Mariaās perseverance and hard work, and we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the future!
Way to go Maria!
Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School graduate Miguel Nataren!
While he attended Dalton High School, Miguel Nataren was an exceptional student who dedicated his free time to the arts. He enrolled in classes like Ceramics, where he was able to balance his studies and also find time to pursue his artistic hobbies. When Miguel looks back at his achievements, he finds pride in maintaining an 85% or above across all of his courses, and fondly remembers the moment when he presented his final project in Mrs. Andersenās class. This fall, Miguel will attend the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to major in 3D animation. Dalton Public Schools is incredibly proud of Miguelās creative dedication, and we look forward to seeing all he accomplishes in the future!
Way to go Miguel!
Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School graduate Yesenia Cruz Delabra!
During her time at Dalton High School, Yesenia Cruz Delabra was an exceptionally talented student who dedicated her time to the arts. She was an active member of DHS Choirs for three years, proudly singing in the Beginner, Womenās, and Catamount Choirs, while also participating as the marching band manager for a year. She also spent her time pushing herself out of her comfort zone to keep up with her studies and succeed in her AP classes. When Yesenia looks back at all of her outstanding achievements, her favorites remain getting more involved on campus and finally graduating. This fall, Yesenia will attend Dalton State College to major in Nursing. Dalton Public Schools is incredibly proud of Yeseniaās creative dedication, and we look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in her future!
Way to go Yesenia!