Hamilton-Holmes Middle School (HHMS) is named for two African American education pioneers: India Hamilton and Rev. Samuel B. Holmes. Hamilton began her teaching career in 1913 at the Rucker Rosenwald School near Mangohick. In 1924, she was appointed supervisor of the three Rosenwald schools in King William that each served the community's African American children. Hamilton also served as Chair of the Negro Organization Society of Virginia, a grassroots community advocacy association at the Hampton Institute, where she promoted collaboration between local teachers and nearby colleges. Hamilton also helped raise money for school improvements and new buildings, including the King William Training School in 1922-23.
The Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Holmes founded King William Academy in 1903, which later became the King William Training School in 1922. The training school was built with support from the Julius Rosenwald Fund and provided both academic and vocational training to African American children of high school age. Prior to the establishment of the three Rosenwald schools (Mt. Olive, Rucker, and King William Training School), there were no public schools for African Americans in the county.
Hamilton-Holmes opened in 1952 as a high school for the county's African American students during segregation. In 1962, the campus was expanded to include students in grades 1-7. In 1970, with desegregation in Virginia finally resolved, Hamilton-Holmes became the county's integrated elementary school and King William High School served as the integrated high school.
When Acquinton Elementary opened in 1989, Hamilton-Holmes became the county's dedicated middle school for students in grades 6-8.