School For Advanced Studies
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Mark Twain Middle School has a large population of identified gifted students. Because Mark Twain Middle School and Mark Twain Magnet School serve such a large percentage of gifted students on our campus, there is a rich offering of honors level classes in all academic areas.
The content of honors/SAS classes is based on the State Standards, but is differentiated for our gifted students. The teachers use a wide variety of teaching strategies to challenge our gifted population including those based on Dr. Sandra Kaplan, Marcia Tate, Susan Winebrenner and Bertie Kingore.
Students are taught by highly qualified teachers trained specifically in differentiating instruction to meet the intellectual characteristics and social-emotional needs of gifted students. Extra GATE professional development is specifically a requirement for teachers in the SAS program. This training is also for teachers of magnet honors classes.
The current GATE Coordinator, Mr. Loren Scott, holds regular informational meetings for the staff of our gifted students. He shares information on upcoming gifted educational opportunities and how to differentiate the curriculum.
The Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) program at Mark Twain Middle School is open to students in grades 6-8 who apply at apply.lausd.net. Students who are identified gifted or are verified gifted from their sending school are eligible to be in our gifted program.
Mark Twain is one of nine middle schools in LAUSD Local District West participating in the Schools for Advanced Studies program. Unlike the Magnet Schools, acceptance to SAS does not include transportation to/from school, even if you are miles from the campus.
ELIGIBILITY
For an applicant to be eligible for SAS, the student must be verified as meeting one of the following criteria:
• Student is identified as gifted by an L.A. Unified designated GATE psychologist in the Intellectual Ability, High Achievement Ability, Specific Academic Ability, Creative Ability or Leadership Ability Category.
OR
• Student received total national percentile scores of 85 or above on a District-approved standardized achievement test, such as the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC).
OR
• Student demonstrates the ability to meet ALL FOUR of the critical thinking and problem-solving skills (in primary language):
1. Explain meanings or relationships among facts, information, or concepts that demonstrate depth and complexity.
2. Formulate new ideas or solutions and elaborate on the information.
3. Use alternative methods in approaching new or unfamiliar mathematical problems.
4. Use extensive vocabulary easily and accurately to express creative ideas