Hamilton County Schools

Hamilton County Schools' vision to create "future-ready students" emphasizes equipping learners with the skills, knowledge, and now, experiences they need to succeed in the modern world. The district aims to ensure students are prepared for academic and career challenges, personal growth, and community engagement by providing real-life opportunities.

Kara Dudley's 7th grade classroom at Loftis Middle School is more than a place for her to teach English—it’s a space where Students feel supported and understood. Her ability to connect with them ensures they leave her class with skills, confidence, and memories that will stay with them forever.

Student Success Planning (SSP) creates individualized plans for students that address their unique strengths and needs through goal setting and connections both in and out of school. This strategy emphasizes two of the district’s core beliefs: (1) Well-being is essential to students’ ability to succeed and (2) It is a community responsibility to reduce barriers limiting student success.

For 25 years, Ms. Beth Compton and Ms. Felicia Burkes have been the heart and soul of DAWN School, a place where students who need extra support find not only education but also a sense of belonging. Together, they’ve built a legacy of love, resilience, and teamwork that has transformed lives and shaped a unique school culture.

Red Bank High School student interns sit down for a Q&A with standout basketball player, Journey Holloway, to discuss her basketball career and the goals she has for the 2024-2025 basketball season. Kelvin Clay III, RBHS Girl's Basketball Head Coach, also gives his thoughts on Holloway's athletic performance.

For over 18 years, Jason Bevil has been a cornerstone of Hamilton County Schools (HCS), dedicating most of his career to fostering young minds at Apison Elementary. Initially teaching 3rd and 4th grades, Bevil has since become a trailblazer in STEM and computer science education. Through his passion for technology and innovation, he’s creating unique opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and excel.

At Orchard Knob Middle School, Mikele Suman is shaping the lives of her students by fostering an environment of learning, inclusion, and support. As an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher, Suman’s work helps students adapt to their new academic environment while embodying the true spirit of what it means to be a Yellow Jacket.

Snow Hill Elementary hosted retired NASA educator Billy Hix, who brought his portable planetarium for a day of awe-inspiring astronomy lessons. Students explored constellations, the solar system, and more, all from their school gym. Billy travels all around the country, mostly focused on rural schools, similar to the one he himself grew up in.

Owiin Merritt, an 11th grader at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (CCA), embodies dedication, passion, and a profound appreciation for the arts. Starting ballet at three years old, Merritt has become an impressive dancer– one of CCA's first students to receive a professional role with Chattanooga Ballet.

As a district, Hamilton County Schools knows our female teachers of color have unique experiences and challenges in the workplace. As part of our strategic plan and intentional commitment to every employee feeling valued, the talent department has expanded its Male Teachers of Color initiative and created Female Teachers of Color (FemTOC). FemTOC brings together teachers from all over the district to find mentorship and a sense of belonging and support with their peers.

Transitioning from middle to high school can feel overwhelming, but Freshman Academies make this leap more manageable. These academies provide a smaller, supportive community where students can build confidence, explore their interests, and develop skills to succeed both academically and personally. Tyner Academy’s Freshman Lead Teacher, Trevor Wilson, and The Howard School’s Freshman Academy Administrator, Dr. Genise Evans-Fletcher, provided insight into how Freshman Academies help students thrive.

East Ridge High School has various Future Ready Institutes to help students figure out what they want to do after high school. These programs, or pathways, let students explore different careers and get experience while still in school. We talked to the College & Career Advisors, Emily Earwood and Lee Ann Samuels, and Whitney Clark, the Future Ready Institute Lead, to learn more about how these programs work and why they’re so great.