School History
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. Among his novels are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), the latter often called "The Great American Novel".
Twain is one of the eight original SAISD pioneer junior high schools which opened in 1923. At that time, the mascot was the Mark Twain Tornados.
Until the building was completed, classes were held at the former Austin Elementary. Twain became a middle school in the mid-1970s. At that time, the Bearcat mascot was adopted.
Twain phased out its middle school with the final Twain MS students graduating from the 8th grade in May, 2018.
In August 2017, SAISD opened up the Mark Twain Dual Language Academy, offering students the opportunity to become fluent in both English and Spanish. The academy adopted a new mascot to reflect its dual language focus: Los Lobos.
On April 30, 2024, Twain celebrated its centennial anniversary with much fanfare and many alumni. A mural honoring all its eras is located in the auditorium foyer; it commemorates and welcomes all alumni: The Tornados, The Bearcats, and The Lobos. (See mural below.)
During the 2024-2025 school year, the academy will serve pre-kinder through 8th grade students. Due to its success and growth, the academy has expanded and will open Mark Twain Dual Language Pre-Kinder Academy at the former Rafael Gonzales Early Childhood Education Center on East Magnolia Avenue.
The academy continues to be open to students across Bexar County, with first priority given to those within Twain’s attendance boundaries.
The academy is an exemplary school that has garnered national recognition. Over the years, the academy has hosted multiple visitors and dignitaries including the United States Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona.
Pre-K at Twain will be provided on a tuition basis to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements to attend pre-kindergarten for free.