RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) — Rutherford County Schools will soon begin accepting student enrollment information for the 2026-2027 academic year. Parents will be able to complete the enrollment process later this month... That was Rutherford County Schools Chief Communications Officer James Evans. 

The enrollment period comes as the district prepares to open its 53rd school. Poplar Hill Middle School, a new 169,000-square-foot campus, will welcome approximately 850 students in grades six through eight when classes begin Friday, August 7, 2026. Scroll down to see photos of the new Poplar Hill Middle School. 

The school is located at 3695 Blackman Road in the Blackman community, near Poplar Hill Elementary School. Construction of the new campus cost approximately $59.9 million, just $100,000 shy of the $60 million mark.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and formal dedication are scheduled for Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. School administrators have also confirmed that Poplar Hill Middle School students will be known as the Bobcats. The school will be led by Principal April Sneed.

For families seeking a different type of educational setting, Rutherford County Schools also offers two alternative learning options... Holloway High School once operated as a vocational school but now provides a smaller and more individualized educational environment. The school’s reduced class sizes allow teachers to provide students with additional attention and support that may not be available in a larger traditional school setting.

Smaller classrooms can be particularly beneficial for students who perform better with individualized instruction, fewer distractions and a more flexible approach to learning. The setting may also help some students progress at a faster pace while working more closely with teachers and school staff. Listen to our full interview above this article for details. 

The 2026-2027 school year will begin with a two-hour orientation day on Friday, August 7. The first full day of classes for Rutherford County students will follow on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Parents and students should also be aware that Rutherford County Schools has transitioned to a new online student information system. The platform, known as Synergy, will be used for accessing student records and other school-related information. Additional details about the new system can be found HERE. Scroll down for photos.

• PODCAST ABOVE ARTICLE: Hear our entire interview by clicking the PLAY button above this article. Our podcast features WGNS' Scott Walker, who sat down with James Evans, the Chief Communication Officer for the Rutherford County School system and Dr. Jessica Supakhan, the principal of both Holloway High School and the RCS Virtual School.