Individualized Honors Program (IHP)

• The IHP program was spurred by Local District and Westside parents who wanted to bring a rigorous and highly accelerated academic program to students in West Los Angeles. 
• Mark Twain Middle School is the 2nd school in all of LAUSD to offer this program.
• The IHP empowers highly gifted students to far exceed academic achievement levels, cultivating a growth mindset, critical thinking, and inquiry-based practices.
• The 2026-27 school year will be limited to one 6th-grade class.
• The 2026-27 school year for the 7th and 8th-grade classes will be limited to availability. 

This program recruits a diverse group of students who cultivate a growth mindset, engage in in-depth and reflective inquiry-based practices, and consistently participate in outreach, integration, and service to their school and the broader community. IHP students are essentially self-starters, curious about learning, and can apply learned skills across various disciplines. Therefore, IHP students are prepared, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. Students chosen to participate in IHP must complete an application process, which includes standardized test scores and academic assessments. Unified Enrollment and our on-site IHP Team facilitate these reviews. The IHP aims for students to be confident and well-prepared to enter Advanced Placement and honors classes in high school, and to be positive contributors to their school communities. 

 

IHP candidates have often expressed wanting to be challenged in all learning areas. They have a curiosity that extends beyond the textbook, and often delve deeper to research topics and expand their learning. Given this curiosity and dedication, it is no surprise that IHP students have been making a splash at Mark Twain competitions! Our 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade IHP students have been awarded and acknowledged in the Science Olympiad and Robotics Competitions, Model United Nations, and the school-wide and regional Spelling BEE. As part of being well-rounded, IHP students are also recognized as accomplished athletes in our school sports teams.

 

Part of our IHP mission is for our students to give back to Mark Twain and their larger communities. When our students give back, they create a positive social and emotional space for themselves and others. They often apply their academic knowledge to their service, enriching the experience for all participants. All IHP 7th and 6th graders have an IHP student mentor, and all 8th graders are mentors. Mentorship fosters cross-grade level relationships and creates a space where IHP students can collaborate throughout their educational careers. 

 

All IHP students are also assigned a mandatory reading list and summer assignment. This reading sparks interest in the topic and builds reading endurance, critical thinking, and, most importantly, a general love for reading.  

 

We have an active and caring parent group as part of our IHP Family. Parents have been an integral part of building the program. They have arranged non-LAUSD events where IHP students can meet and have fun together, including community service projects and events. 

 

We look forward to providing new and innovative ways for IHP students to gain positive experiences and learn!