New school year launches this week; activities planned

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Area public school students return to campus this month as they launch a new school year, with some beginning as early as this week.

New Summerfield ISD, whose program operates on a four-day schedule with students going Monday through Friday, was the first to welcome back students on Aug. 4, while Rusk – also a four-day program – begins Aug. 6.

Other start dates include:

• Wells ISD, Aug. 11

• Jacksonville – Aug. 12

• Troup ISD, Aug. 13

• Alto ISD – Aug. 19. The Alto district also operates on a four-day schedule.

The start of school also means a variety of events ranging from meeting fall sports teams and campus faculty, to orientation and schedule distribution. 

With the exception of one campus – which has planned for a later date – Jacksonville ISD schools will host schedule pick-up and meet the teacher events on Aug. 7

• Jacksonville Middle School – Seventh-grade, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday; eighth-grade,11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

• Jacksonville High School – 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday

• Jacksonville Elementary – 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday at each of the district elementary campuses

• Jacksonville Intermediate – Monday, Aug. 11. Fifth-grade, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; sixth-grade, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

In Troup, the local high school will offer a StartSTRONG Freshman orientation Monday, Aug. 11, beginning with 7:30 a.m. registration and breakfast, followed by 8 a.m. orientation. Students will receive their schedules and find where to find their classrooms, learn about the different organizations offered at THS, meet teachers and other students, while parents will meet independently with a school official. 

That same day, the district will host a Back 2 School Meet the Teacher event, 3:30-5 p.m. Monday in the PE Gym, along with Troup Middle School’s come & go event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The middle school event includes a sixth-grade orientation. Also, the Troup Elementary PTO will host a Backpacks, Books & Bites event from 4-9 p.m. Monday at the local library.

This year’s Meet the Tigers event is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Tiger Stadium. Members of the school’s 2025 fall sports programs, along with their coaches and trainers, will be introduced to the community.

In Alto, the annual Meet the Jackets event is slated for 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8.