FCS Schools Earn National Certification
Three Fulton County high schools have taken their place among a select group of schools nationwide recognized for excellence in magnet education.
Banneker High School, Northview High School, and Tri-Cities High School have earned official magnet school certification from Magnet Schools of America (MSA). The achievement marks a significant milestone for the district. The three campuses are the only high schools in the state of Georgia listed as 2026 National Certified Magnet Schools by MSA, a national nonprofit professional education association founded 40 years ago to serve as the public voice for exemplar magnet schools.
The recognition reflects the schools’ commitment to creating engaging, rigorous learning experiences that connect academics with professional opportunities and future careers. At the heart of the work is 3DE, an education model developed through a shared vision among leaders in education, business, and Junior Achievement. The model is built on the belief that equitable access to high-quality education can help create pathways to economic mobility by closing the gap between education and the real world.
What began at Banneker in fall 2015 as Fulton County Schools’ first 3DE magnet program has grown into a model for real-world learning across the district. Formally named the Junior Achievement Magnet Business Academy (JAMBA), the initiative’s vision is to connect classroom learning with the expertise and challenges of the business community. Today, Northview and Tri-Cities share that vision. The program allows students to learn by tackling authentic problems, collaborating with business partners, and seeing firsthand how their education connects to the world beyond school.
“By strengthening our focus on the 3DE core competencies, including cultural agility, critical thinking, analytical skills, and business collaboration, we have demonstrated our commitment to preparing students for success,” Banneker Principal Vincent Golden said. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our students, staff, parents, and community partners throughout the year-long certification process.”
For 3DE students, learning often begins with a question that has no textbook answer. Every five to six weeks, business partners bring authentic challenges from the workplace into the classroom, such as those related to technology and business management, branding, and customer relations. Students become problem-solvers, working together to research the issue, analyze possibilities, and develop and present solutions. Because the challenges span multiple subject areas, students see how the skills they are building in the classroom connect to one another and to the world beyond school.
“Our 3DE teacher team has transformed our program over the last few years, providing our students with an exceptional experience that makes learning relevant and ensures they are prepared for life beyond Northview,” Principal Martin Neuhaus explained. “Most impressively is our 3DE retention rate. Over 95% of students who opt into the program stay in the program.”
Tri-Cities Principal Amanda Williams-Gorham can attest to the program’s success as well. She noted how deeply the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) magnet program is woven into the school’s rich history, tradition, and legacy. Receiving 3DE certification is an added win for students.
“Earning national magnet certification and being recognized as one of only eight schools in Georgia to achieve this distinction further affirms the excellence of our program and most importantly, the extraordinary talent and accomplishments of our students,” said Dr. Williams-Gorham.
To earn this certification, each school was required to meet 10 standards covering areas ranging from diversity and equity to leadership development and community partnerships. Schools also submitted documented evidence of meeting the required benchmarks. Monthly virtual monitoring sessions with Magnet Schools of America provided guidance throughout the process and helped verify their progress.
The certification designations are further proof of the district's broader commitment to creating meaningful connections between the classroom and the working world. By bringing educators, students, and business partners together, Banneker, Northview, and Tri-Cities high schools are helping demonstrate how innovative magnet programs can provide students with relevant learning experiences and prepare them to thrive in an ever-changing world.
BANNEKER HIGH SCHOOL
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
TRI-CITIES HIGH SCHOOL
