McCarty Subdivision Historic District · Photo: GamblinMonkey · Public domainDalton’s public schools score below 60% of Georgia districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Dalton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Georgia, not nationally.
From Georgia state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dalton’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 40% and 37% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,758 per student, against $15,800 across Georgia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Christian Heritage School (private), Learning Tree Elementary School (private) and Relentless Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Dalton’s grade
C+: better than 40% of Georgia school districts, #164 of 260 Georgia towns. Both inputs trail the Georgia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dalton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Dalton
Hammond Creek Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,057 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dalton
Hammond Creek Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,057 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dalton · depends on your address
Hammond Creek Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,057 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Dalton Jr. High School
Grades 8 · 517 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dalton · depends on your address
Dalton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,919 students · 17:1 students per teacher
The Dalton Academy
Grades 9–12 · 469 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dalton · depends on your address
Dalton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,919 students · 17:1 students per teacher
The Dalton Academy
Grades 9–12 · 469 students · 9:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dalton · depends on your address
Dalton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,919 students · 17:1 students per teacher
The Dalton Academy
Grades 9–12 · 469 students · 9:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dalton · depends on your address
Dalton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,919 students · 17:1 students per teacher
The Dalton Academy
Grades 9–12 · 469 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Dalton’s public schools are run by Dalton City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Dalton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Dalton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton | C+ | Dalton City |
Every school in Dalton
13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Georgia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center).
Questions about Dalton’s schools
Are Dalton’s schools good?
On Georgia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dalton children attend score below 60% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #164 of 260 Georgia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dalton in?
Dalton City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,619 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dalton kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Dalton High School and The Dalton Academy.
What is Dalton’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Dalton City School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.
How much does Dalton spend per student?
$14,758 in Dalton City School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dalton?
Yes: Christian Heritage School (religious, grades K–12, 577 students), Learning Tree Elementary School (religious, grades PK–8, 82 students) and Relentless Christian Academy (religious, grades 3–12, 20 students).
Parents talk
What Dalton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dalton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Georgia. Stars are from neighbors.