By: Erica Fatima
Their mantra is M-J-J ALL DAY! It’s an infectious, high-spirited, positive slogan that leaves one believing you can accomplish anything at Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School; you’re a part of a family and a great movement. (But I have my suspicions that there is a subtler slogan chanted in the halls of M.H. Jackson High.)
The accolades this year are astounding: Principal Johnson was named GA Principal of the Year, and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March 16th as Stephanie Johnson Appreciation Day. She received the 2016 Nation Builders Administrator of the Year award, the 2016 Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Patriotic Employer award; as well as APS’ 2016 Chief Schools Office Stellar Leadership Award. Also, Coach Reginald Curry was named State Athletic Director of The Year.
Furthermore, M.H. Jackson’s Early College Program is the first high school in the history of APS and Atlanta Metropolitan State College to have students earning Associate Degrees before graduating high school on May 25. Two students graduated with Associate Degrees in the Regional Transfer Engineering Program with Atlanta Metropolitan State College and Georgia Tech—Valedictorian, Taylor Dalton graduated with two Associate Degrees in pre-engineering and mathematics, while Nuri Omolara graduated with an Associate’s Degree in pre-engineering. The students were able to earn both high school diplomas and college diplomas at the same time due to their participation in the state‘s Move On When Ready Dual Enrollment Program.
Above left: Valedictorian, Taylor Dalton Above right: Nuri Omalari
M.H. Jackson High School was also one of 80 schools nationally named as “Top Global Learning Schools” by study-abroad group AFS-USA. The award recognizes “exceptional dedication to fostering global citizenship.” And, notably, according to recently published data, M.H. Jackson’s graduation rate has risen from 57 percent in 2011 to 72 percent in 2015. Maynard Jackson High School has also become a 2016 National Beta School of Merit and recognized for growing more students to qualify for the prestigious honor society.
As of May 9, the Lady Jaguars Girls Track Team are back-to-back GA AAA Region and State Champions; as well as three-time Atlanta Classic Champions! Lady Jaguars Girls Basketball Team won the 3AAA Regional Championship and runner up for the state championship.
And have you read the school’s Twitter feed? It’s a veritable treasure trove of outstanding news @MHJHSJaguars!
I suspect, on any given day, if you walk down the halls of Maynard Jackson High School you will probably hear the faint whistle of the old children’s gospel song “This Lil’ Light of Mine I’m Gonna Let It Shine…” because that’s just what they are doing at Maynard H. Jackson High School…SHINING!
Talk Up APS 
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