Mark Twain Elementary School: 5 Essential Facts to Know

What I Found Out About Mark Twain Elementary School

When I started researching Mark Twain Elementary School, I was genuinely impressed by what I discovered. This is a public elementary school in Lawndale, California, that consistently outperforms both district and state averages in core academic subjects — and it is doing so while serving a diverse and economically challenged community.

Mark Twain Elementary School consistently ranks in the top 25% of California elementary schools, with strong academic performance that significantly exceeds both district and state averages. That is a remarkable achievement for any school, and it speaks directly to the dedication of the teachers and staff who show up for these students every single day.

In this complete guide, I cover everything you need to know about Mark Twain Elementary School — from its location, grades, and programs to academic performance, parent resources, and the 2026–2027 school calendar. Let's get into it.

A Complete Overview of Mark Twain Elementary School

Mark Twain Elementary School is a public elementary school located at 3728 W. 154th Street, Lawndale, California 90260, in Los Angeles County. The school phone number is (310) 675-9134. The official website is twain.lawndalesd.net, where families can access everything from the bell schedule and calendar to staff directories and parent resources throughout the year.

The student population of Mark Twain Elementary School is 568 students and the campus serves Kindergarten through Grade 5. The student population is made up of 51% female and 49% male students. The school is part of the Lawndale Elementary School District — one of only 13 districts in the entire state of California and the only district in Los Angeles County recognized as a State SARB Model Program.

Earlier in 2026, students from Mark Twain Elementary School visited Will Rogers Middle School as part of the district's Dual Immersion pathway. Fifth-grade students toured the campus and learned how bilingual classes continue in middle school — a powerful transition experience that shows just how thoughtfully this school plans for its students' futures.

Key Facts at a Glance

Academic Performance at Mark Twain Elementary School

The academic data tells the most honest and important story about any school. Here is the verified performance data for Mark Twain Elementary School sourced directly from US News, SchoolDigger, and California state assessment records.

Moreover, the school's science and math scores are better than the district's and the state's.

At this campus, 56% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 60% scored at or above the proficient level for reading. Both figures sit comfortably above California state averages — a consistent pattern of excellence that has earned the school national recognition from US News and World Report.

Performance vs District and State

Mark Twain Elementary School's performance is particularly impressive among Hispanic, African American, and English Language Learner students — groups that many schools across California struggle to serve at this level of academic achievement. That commitment to equity in outcomes is exactly what makes this campus genuinely exceptional.

Programs at Mark Twain Elementary School

Mark Twain Elementary School offers a strong and well-rounded set of programs that go well beyond standard elementary instruction. Here is a complete overview of what the campus provides for its students and families.

Gifted and Talented Program

Mark Twain Elementary School offers a Gifted and Talented program for students who demonstrate advanced academic abilities. This program provides additional challenge, enrichment, and depth across core subjects — helping high-achieving students continue growing at a pace that truly matches their intellectual abilities and curiosity every school year.

Dual Immersion Pathway

One of the most exciting program offerings connected to this campus is the Dual Immersion pathway that runs through the Lawndale Elementary School District. Fifth-grade students from Mark Twain Elementary School toured Will Rogers Middle School and learned how bilingual classes continue into middle school — creating a seamless bilingual academic journey from elementary through middle school for participating families.

This pathway is a genuine academic advantage for students in a diverse community like Lawndale. Research consistently shows that bilingual students develop stronger cognitive flexibility, higher reading comprehension scores, and greater long-term academic success than monolingual peers.

PBIS — Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Mark Twain Elementary School actively implements Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) across its entire campus, accessible at twain.lawndalesd.net/student-support/pbis. This structured behavioral framework creates consistent and positive expectations across every classroom and common area, building a safer and more respectful school culture for every single student every day.

Second Step Program

The campus also runs the Second Step social-emotional learning program — available at twain.lawndalesd.net/student-support/second-step. Second Step teaches students essential life skills including empathy, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. These skills matter just as much as academic content for long-term student success and personal well-being throughout the school years.

Student Support Services

Mark Twain Elementary School provides comprehensive Student Support Services at twain.lawndalesd.net/student-support/student-support-services, ensuring that every child — regardless of their learning needs, language background, or personal circumstances — receives the individualized support they need to thrive academically and personally on this campus.

Tutoring Program

District-funded Tutoring is available to students through lawndalesd.net/parents/resources/tutoring — a practical and valuable resource for families who want additional academic support for their child outside of regular school hours. Early intervention through tutoring during the elementary years is one of the most effective strategies for preventing long-term academic gaps.

Parent Involvement at Mark Twain Elementary School

One of the things I genuinely appreciate about this campus is how seriously it takes parent involvement. Mark Twain Elementary School offers multiple structured pathways for families to engage meaningfully with the school throughout the entire year.

Parent-Teacher Association

The active PTA at twain.lawndalesd.net/parents/get-involved/pta gives parents a direct and organized way to support the school, connect with other families, and contribute to the campus community. An active PTA is one of the strongest indicators of a healthy and engaged school community.

English Learner Advisory Committee

The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) at twain.lawndalesd.net/parents/get-involved/elac gives parents of English learner students a meaningful voice in school decision-making. ELAC meetings are open to all families and provide important information about programs, support services, and student progress.

School Site Council

The School Site Council (SSC) at twain.lawndalesd.net/parents/get-involved/ssc is a formal governance body made up of parents, teachers, and community members. It plays a key role in approving school improvement plans and overseeing how resources are allocated to best serve every student on campus.

African American Parent Advisory Council

Mark Twain Elementary School also hosts the Black and African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) through the district at lawndalesd.net/parents/parent-groups/appac — a dedicated space for Black families to engage with school leadership and advocate meaningfully for their children's academic success and well-being.

Volunteer Opportunities

Parents looking to get directly involved on campus can explore Volunteer Opportunities at twain.lawndalesd.net/parents/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities. Volunteering at your child's school is one of the most impactful things a parent can do to support both their own child and the broader school community every school year.

District Recognition and Achievements

Mark Twain Elementary School is part of the Lawndale Elementary School District — a district that has earned extraordinary recognition at both the state and national levels in recent years. Understanding this context helps parents appreciate exactly what kind of system supports this campus every day.

The Lawndale Elementary School District is proud to be recognized as a State SARB Model Program — one of only 13 districts in the entire state of California and the only district in Los Angeles County with this distinction. SARB — School Attendance Review Board — recognition is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding systems for supporting student attendance, engagement, and well-being holistically and equitably.

English Language Instructional Resource Teachers from Mark Twain Elementary School and other district campuses proudly presented at CABE 2026. Their sessions highlighted the powerful instructional practices the district uses to support students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The Lawndale Elementary School District also proudly announced its 2026 Teachers of the Year, honoring six exceptional educators whose dedication and instructional excellence reflect the extraordinary commitment to teaching quality that runs through every campus in the district including Mark Twain Elementary School.

Key Parent Resources

Mark Twain Elementary School makes it very easy for every family to stay informed and connected throughout the entire school year. Here is a complete overview of every key resource available to the campus community.

• Official Website: twain.lawndalesd.net
• Report an Absence: lawndalesd.net/parents/attendance
• ParentSquare: twain.lawndalesd.net/parentsquare — direct communication with teachers and staff
• Bell Schedule: twain.lawndalesd.net/bell-schedule
• PowerSchool: lawndalesd.net/parents/powerschool — grades and student records
• Peachjar Community Flyers: twain.lawndalesd.net/parents/community-flyers
• Parent and Student Handbook: lawndalek12caus.finalsite.com/parents/parent-handbook
• Digital Citizenship and Safety: lawndalesd.net/parents/resources/digital-citizenship-safety
• School Device Support: lawndalesd.net/parents/it-support
• Know Your Educational Rights: lawndalesd.net/parents/know-your-educational-rights
• Family University: lawndalesd.net/parents/family-university
• Facebook: facebook.com/twainLESD
• Instagram: instagram.com/twainlesd
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC9V66TVy3eqJwG4Rnfch2KA

Academic Calendar 2026–2027

School sessions at Mark Twain Elementary School typically starts in the first week of September and ends in the third week of June. Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival each school day. For specific early dismissal dates and confirmed 2026–2027 dates, always check the official calendar at twain.lawndalesd.net/calendar-news and the district instructional dates at lawndalesd.net/instructional-dates.

Always verify confirmed board-approved dates at lawndalesd.net/instructional-dates before making any travel or childcare plans for the year.

Is Your Child the Right Age for Mark Twain Elementary School?

This campus serves Kindergarten through Grade 5, which means most enrolled students are between 5 and 11 years old. In California, children must turn 5 years old by September 1st to enroll in Kindergarten for that school year — which sets grade placement all the way through elementary school.

Getting this right from the very first year of your child's education matters enormously. A miscalculation at the Kindergarten entry stage affects every grade level that follows — potentially placing your child with peers who are significantly older or younger throughout their entire elementary experience.

The free LearnerStep School Age Calculator at learnerstep.com makes this instant and effortless. Simply enter your child's date of birth, select California, and instantly receive the correct grade level based on the verified September 1st state cutoff date. Use it before completing any Lawndale Elementary School District enrollment and remove all the guesswork from the process entirely.

Conclusion

Mark Twain Elementary School in Lawndale, California is a campus that genuinely delivers for every student it serves. With reading proficiency at 60–61% and math proficiency at 56% — both well above California state averages — and a consistent ranking in the top 25% of all California elementary schools, this is a school that works hard and produces real results.

From its Gifted and Talented program and Dual Immersion pathway to its PBIS framework, Second Step social-emotional curriculum, and deeply engaged parent community through PTA, ELAC, SSC, and AAPAC — this campus offers everything a family needs from a high-quality public elementary school in the heart of the South Bay.

Before you complete any enrollment, verify your child's correct grade using the free School Age Calculator at LearnerStep.com. It uses California's verified September 1st cutoff date to give you instant and accurate results in seconds. Start your child's journey at Mark Twain Elementary School fully prepared, completely informed, and confident in every step you take.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is Mark Twain Elementary School located?

Mark Twain Elementary School is located at 3728 W. 154th Street, Lawndale, California 90260, in Los Angeles County. The school can be reached at (310) 675-9134. The official website is twain.lawndalesd.net and the campus is part of the Lawndale Elementary School District.

2. What grades does Mark Twain Elementary School serve?

Mark Twain Elementary School serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 5 with a total enrollment of 568 students and 23 equivalent full-time teachers. The student-teacher ratio is 25:1. Students typically move on to Will Rogers Middle School after completing Grade 5.

3. How does Mark Twain Elementary School perform academically?

The campus consistently ranks in the top 25% of California elementary schools, with 61.48% of students proficient in English Language Arts — significantly above the district average of 48.66% and the California state average of 47.04%. The school has earned a US News Best Elementary Schools recognition badge.

4. Does Mark Twain Elementary School offer a Gifted and Talented program?

Yes — Mark Twain Elementary School offers a Gifted and Talented program for academically advanced students. The campus also connects eligible students to the district's Dual Immersion bilingual pathway that continues through Will Rogers Middle School, giving families a powerful long-term academic option.

5. How do I know if my child is the right age to enroll?

In California, children must turn 5 years old by September 1st to enroll in Kindergarten. Use the free LearnerStep School Age Calculator at learnerstep.com to instantly verify your child's correct grade based on California's verified official cutoff date — it takes under 30 seconds and gives you accurate, state-verified results every time.