Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted & Talented is organized into mini-schools, or clusters, of four classes with a team of teachers assigned to each cluster. Clusters are scheduled for conference periods to facilitate interdisciplinary planning. The clusters are assigned periods for tutoring, enrichment and thematic development. Large and small group instruction can be arranged with little difficulty. Clusters can be regrouped as needed.
All students study a foreign language - French, Italian or Spanish. Every child is also involved in the in-depth study of a talent area. All classes are co-educational, including physical education, technology, and home and career skills. No bells are rung during the day for passing, yet classes change smoothly and efficiently.
Among our numerous noteworthy achievements is the very favorable success record regarding acceptances to specialized high schools. Last year, for example, nearly 90 youngsters received acceptance to Stuyvesant High School. The city-wide reading and math scores have resulted in our school being listed on the Internet as number four in New York State. Children are admitted to the school on the basis of application only and must meet minimum standards that ultimately include an identifiable ability or potential in one of the following talent areas:
- Art
- Athletics
- Computer / Mathematics
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Science
- Strings
- Theater
- Visual Media
- Vocal
- Winds