Rooted in Representation: How Dr. TJuani Bell Marks Is Reimagining Education at OMNI International School
In Southwest Atlanta, a quiet revolution in education is underway fueled by language, representation, and a fearless leader who refused to accept traditional limits. Dr. TJuani Bell Marks, founder of OMNI International School, wasn’t trained in the conventional mold. She’s a military spouse who lived abroad and felt firsthand the barriers of not speaking multiple languages. That feeling of disconnection became the spark for something much bigger: an international school grounded in excellence and equity.
Founded in 2011, OMNI is anything but ordinary. From the outside, it may look like a bright, joyful early learning center. But step inside, and you’ll see 2-year-olds mastering phonics, recognizing shapes, and preparing for a world where language is power. By kindergarten, OMNI students are confident readers and writers. By third grade, they’re crafting persuasive essays and analyzing complex ideas—often performing two to three grade levels ahead of their public-school peers.
But academics are just the beginning.
“We focus on the whole child,” Dr. Bell Marks says. “Language opens doors, but character keeps them open.” OMNI offers immersion programs in Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish, with native speakers leading the way. These aren’t language classes—they’re full cultural experiences designed to create global citizens from day one.
The school is majority African American, with a growing population of biracial students. Representation isn’t a mission statement—it’s embedded in every classroom.
“Our students see themselves in their teachers,” Dr. Bell Marks explains. “That changes everything.”
This intentionality extends to neurodiverse learners. OMNI’s staff is trained to spot early signs of autism, ADD, and other learning differences, crafting individualized learning paths that let every student thrive.
“All children are gifted,” Dr. Bell Marks says. “Our job is to find how.”
OMNI is a year-round school, with 3 weeks off in May and ongoing enrichment through June. And while the rigor is high, the joy is even higher. Students participate in creative theme weeks like Chemistry Week, NanoTech Week, Kids Kitchen Week, and Solar Energy Week. The goal? Make mastery fun and curiosity constant.
Parents play a central role in the OMNI experience. With a required 24 hours of annual volunteer time, families help shape the school’s community. Whether through field trips, classroom help, or PR committees, they’re not just observers—they’re partners.
Dr. Bell Marks believes education is generational work and that children deserve a softer, more empowered life than their parents had. That global fluency starts early. When Black children are given the tools to lead, they rise—boldly, brilliantly, and without apology.
At OMNI, the mission is clear: excellence in all things. The method? High expectations, whole-child development, and a fierce commitment to representation.
The result? A school that isn’t just preparing students for the future—it’s preparing them to shape it.
Follow their journey: @OmniSchoolAtl
“We focus on the whole child,” Dr. Bell Marks says. “Language opens doors, but character keeps them open.”
“Our students see themselves in their teachers. That changes everything.”