In the vibrant ecosystem of Mark Twain International School, community isn't just a buzzword—it's the foundation upon which transformative education is built. As we guide students through their educational journey, we've discovered that a strong sense of community creates the ideal conditions for academic excellence, emotional growth, and the development of truly global citizens.
Why Community Matters in International Education
MTIS brings together families from over 60 different cultural backgrounds, creating a unique tapestry of perspectives and experiences. This diversity, when intentionally woven into a cohesive community, becomes our greatest strength. Students who feel connected to their school community demonstrate greater academic engagement, emotional resilience, and social intelligence—skills essential for success in our interconnected world.
Research consistently shows that students thrive when they feel a sense of belonging. At MTIS, we cultivate this belonging through structured community-building initiatives and organic, everyday interactions. From our annual International Day celebrations to collaborative service-learning projects, we create multiple touchpoints for meaningful connection across our diverse population.
The IB Advantage: Community Through Continuum
As an authorized IB World Continuum School offering the complete IB pathway across both our Bilingual and International divisions, MTIS provides an organically connective educational journey for every learner. This rare distinction allows our community to share a common educational philosophy from Primary Years through Middle Years to Diploma Programme. The IB learner profile attributes—from being inquirers and knowledgeable to being caring and reflective—serve as a common language that unites our diverse community across all grade levels and both divisions. This continuity strengthens our sense of belonging while preparing students to excel in increasingly complex academic challenges.
A Legacy of Excellence: From MTIS to the World Stage
The strength of our community is perhaps best reflected in the remarkable achievements of our alumni. Our graduates consistently earn places at prestigious universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, Stanford, and top Romanian institutions like the University of Bucharest and Babeș-Bolyai University. These acceptances affirm the academic rigor of our programs and the global competitiveness of our students.
Even more impressive are the paths our graduates forge after university. Among our alumni are Nobel Prize recipients whose research has transformed their fields, entrepreneurs whose innovations are shaping industries, and humanitarian leaders whose work embodies the ethical principles instilled at MTIS. These extraordinary achievements stem from the foundation built within our school community—where excellence is expected, creativity is nurtured, and ethical leadership is modeled daily.
Parents as Partners: The Extended Educational Family
The community at MTIS extends beyond classroom walls to include our parent body as essential educational partners. When parents engage actively with the school community, student outcomes improve measurably. Our parent workshops, cultural exchange events, and volunteer opportunities create pathways for families to contribute their unique strengths while building relationships that support student learning.
Global Citizens with Local Roots
Perhaps most importantly, a strong school community helps students develop a sense of place while maintaining their global perspective. As students move between the Romanian and international curricula at MTIS, they learn to honor local contexts while embracing global mindedness—a balance essential for tomorrow's leaders.
The Mark Twain reference in our school's name signifies safe passage through challenging waters. In today's complex world, a supportive international school community provides exactly that—a secure harbor from which students can confidently navigate their educational journey and beyond, equipped with both deep roots and broad wings.
Dr. Matthew D. Wilkens serves as General Director and Head of School at Mark Twain International School in Bucharest, Romania. With over 20 years in education and a Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change, he is passionate about creating learning environments where students from diverse backgrounds thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.