Mark Twain Elementary School

Mark Twain is an AWESOME school! Dr Mossman is doing a great job making sure the teachers deliver the best instruction possible to our children. Twain's API has steadily increased. I applaud the entire Twain community for a job well-done! River Rafters Rock!
--Submitted by a parent

I really like Mark Twain. It is a smaller sized school in a pretty neighborhood. The staff work hard and the principal, Dr. Mossman, works even harder. She goes out of her way to assist parents in many aspects. She even tracks kids into middle school, high school and college. This is a leader we should all want our children to experience. I am amazed she knows all the kids names! She makes coming to Mark Twain enjoyable. You can never find her in the office. You have to look on the recess yard or at valet or in the cafeteria. She even runs with the kids. I think she should be recognized for her contributions to the Lawndale/Gardena community. I am not sure how we lucked out to get her at our school - I know she was at Anderson and Roosevelt before coming to Twain. Dr. Mossman is wonderful
--Submitted by a parent

I just love this small, tight-knit little community. The teachers are so caring and wonderful, a great leader in our principal. The school is very well kept up, one of the best in the area. The kids are good kids, not a real mean one in the bunch. I am so lucky to have discovered Mark Twain. Lesa Fleetwood
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in his 4th year at Twain. In all that time I have believed that Twain has provided a quality education by excellent teachers. With the addition of Dr. Mossman as principal, I believe that that quality has been further enhanced. Dr. Mossman doesn't so much think outside the box as rebuild it. Since her arrival, she has encouraged and has been pivotal in the expansion of the events that the school and PTA sponsor, such as a carnival, book fair and student store. These may not be new events to other schools, but I had not seen them at Twain before Dr. Mossman arrived. The significance of these events is that they create school pride in the student body and encourage participation from parents. Add to that the continuing improvement of Twain's API score, and the future is looking good.
--Submitted by Robert Arroyo, a parent

This school is really great. I couldn't have asked for a better place to send my child. I think the teachers are very caring and they are easy to talk to. I think the principal is young and always seems to know what to say. My daughter loves Mrs. Gonzalez. She thinks she is pretty and fun.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended kindergarten through 6th grade at twain, and we were very pleased with the school. Former principal melody stendahl was outstanding and has left a wonderful legacy for her successor. I wish more parents would become involved...That was what was lacking in our experience. The teachers would love to have their help! I enjoyed every minute I spent in the classroom and on campus. A positive experience for us all. Twain is the best school in the district. River rafters are right on!
--Submitted by a parent

This is a very good school. The state test scores are wonderful. The school is located in El Camino Village.
--Submitted by a parent

Good School, Better that other schools in area.my son is only in pre-school. teachers are great, the pay attention to detail and offer their view on situations, they offer support.
--Submitted by a parent

Mark Twain is a good school. I think more parent involvement should be encouraged by allowing the parents to visit the classrooms and be involved in their children class activities. A parent-teacher conference should be scheduled at year end so parents are not left up in the air. Also, during open house days, pot luck type of activities should be planned so that the parents feel welcomed and part of the educational environment of the kids. Overall the teachers are very prepared and the principal has the qualifications needed to discipline and teach such large group of kids.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very proud of the fact that my children go to this school. The boundaries for this school are the Camino Village housing division. I do not live in the boundaries and therefore I had to apply to have my children attend. If you have the opportunity to live in this small area then your kids are able to go to this school. The principal is a powerhouse of care and concern about every child. I have yet to meet a better principal. The teachers hold a very high scholastic standard and the children rise to the occasion. The teachers are collectively the best the Lawndale District has available, though there are other excellent teachers in this district. The scores are in the 740'S and that's not bad for a racially mixed school in the city.
--Submitted by a parent