For students at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, college isn’t some distant dream: It’s part of the daily experience.

Located right on NC State’s Centennial Campus, the school benefits from a one-of-a-kind partnership that brings university faculty and graduate students into its classrooms — and brings middle schoolers out into the world of higher education.

🎉 25 years of innovation in action

Now celebrating 25 years on campus, the Centennial Campus Center for Innovation Magnet Middle School champions creativity through hands-on learning that builds problem-solvers for the future.

Using Design Thinking, students learn to empathize, explore challenges, and refine their ideas until they find what works. Here, teachers lead by example, modeling curiosity and a growth mindset that turns mistakes into momentum.

🧪 Learning beyond the classroom

When your school sits on a university campus, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door.

CCMMS students get access to experiences most people never have, like touring NC State’s Nuclear Reactor Program.

Each week, they connect with university faculty and students who share real-world insights into college life and career paths.

It’s the kind of exposure that helps young learners picture their future (and realize higher education is well within reach.)

📅 See it for yourself

Curious to see how else college-level learning comes to life?

Stop by the Q&A session and student learning in action showcase on December 16, 2025, at 5 p.m., or schedule an in-person tour today.

Questions? The Magnet Coordinator is always just an email away.

Set them up for success