James E. Holmes Junior High School was created by the consolidation of Leaksville-Spray Junior High and Draper Junior High in the fall of 1967. At that time, Holmes served seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students. Students from Douglass Elementary School joined the Holmes family in 1968.  In 1991, Holmes Junior High School made the transition to James E. Holmes Middle School. At that time, sixth graders moved from the area's four elementary schools to Holmes, and ninth graders moved to Morehead High School.