About
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth offers unique STEM, humanities, and fine arts courses that are hands on, inquiry-based, and beyond the scope of a traditional curriculum. The program also includes a variety of recreational activities where students play games.
• Ages: 6–17 years old
• Schedule: Elementary sessions run for 5 days, and middle and high school sessions run for 10 days, Monday through Friday.
The Elementary Program has three upcoming 5-day sessions in 2026: June 15–19, July 13–17, and July 20–24. The Middle School Program has two upcoming 10-day Monday–Friday sessions in 2026: June 15–26 and July 13–24. The High School Program has two upcoming 10-day Monday–Friday sessions in 2026: June 15–26 and July 13–24. Office hours are 8 AM to 4 PM.
The organization began in 1967 as the Twin Cities Institute for Talented Youth (TCITY). In 1969, the TCITY office was moved to Macalester College. TCITY offered its first residential program in 1985 and changed its name to Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) in 1993. In 2002, MITY started Your Extraordinary Saturday (YES), a Saturday program for 1st–4th grade students that holds classes in November and March. MITY celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily halted in-person programming, MITY added online classes. In 2022, MITY added a third session of elementary programming and a second session of middle school programming. In 2024, MITY launched Your Extraordinary Summer (YES). Today, MITY serves over 1,200 students in grades 1 through 12 each year and has a 58-year history.
MITY attracts bright students in grades one through twelve from throughout the Twin Cities and around the world. TCITY was supported by local foundations, businesses, school boards, and private donations, and from 1969 until 1981 the program was fully funded by the Minneapolis and St. Paul districts. MITY students form life-long friendships with students from around the Twin Cities and across the world.
The program offers day and residential options and serves over 1,200 students in grades 1 through 12 each year. Students choose from unique STEM, humanities, and fine arts courses in four academic programs, each taught by master teachers. Classes use an interdisciplinary, hands-on curriculum that asks students to collaborate with diverse peers to generate creative solutions to real-world issues. Each class is limited to 16 students. Students are free to perform without the pressure of grades. The program includes a variety of recreational activities that support friendships among students from around the Twin Cities and across the world. MITY added online classes in 2020 to keep students engaged both academically and socially. In 2024, MITY launched Your Extraordinary Summer (YES) to provide year-round opportunities for 1st–4th grade students.
The leadership team includes Erica Brewinski, Executive Director; Katie Hockert, Assistant Director; and Tessa Meiser, Program Administrator. Erica Brewinski holds a B.A. from Brown University, an M.A. in Educational Policy & Administration from the University of Minnesota, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, is a licensed K–12 Principal in Minnesota, is certified in Professional Development, has taught students in grades 6–12, undergraduates, and graduate students, and was a school administrator for ten years before joining MITY in 2019. Katie Hockert holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in History and Social Studies Secondary Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University, has held 6–12 teaching licenses in Wisconsin and Minnesota, has taught various required and advanced history courses in the Madison Metro School District, and is trained in AVID strategies, National History Day, and Sylvan educational methods. Tessa Meiser holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and master’s degrees in Spanish Language and Literature and Television, Film and New Media.
MITY’s mission is to inspire and challenge intellectually curious students to pursue their passions within a diverse, inclusive community and empower them by building skills and relationships for lifelong success.
Parent and student comments about the program include: “MITY is more than just a program; it's a gateway to countless worlds waiting to be explored. Each session offers the opportunity to acquire new skills, and ignite fresh passions.” A 2025 participant stated, “MITY is a place where you can be yourself.” Other 2025 participants said, “MITY brings talented kids a sense of belonging” and “Total game changer.” A 2025 parent said, “This program is excellent in inspiring kids.” Another MITY parent said, “This is a fantastic program for kids to get more education around a topic(s) of interest that they do not get in their normal school. All smiles and excitement about these Saturdays!”
Last updated June 28, 2026.
• Ages: 6–17 years old
• Schedule: Elementary sessions run for 5 days, and middle and high school sessions run for 10 days, Monday through Friday.
The Elementary Program has three upcoming 5-day sessions in 2026: June 15–19, July 13–17, and July 20–24. The Middle School Program has two upcoming 10-day Monday–Friday sessions in 2026: June 15–26 and July 13–24. The High School Program has two upcoming 10-day Monday–Friday sessions in 2026: June 15–26 and July 13–24. Office hours are 8 AM to 4 PM.
The organization began in 1967 as the Twin Cities Institute for Talented Youth (TCITY). In 1969, the TCITY office was moved to Macalester College. TCITY offered its first residential program in 1985 and changed its name to Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) in 1993. In 2002, MITY started Your Extraordinary Saturday (YES), a Saturday program for 1st–4th grade students that holds classes in November and March. MITY celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily halted in-person programming, MITY added online classes. In 2022, MITY added a third session of elementary programming and a second session of middle school programming. In 2024, MITY launched Your Extraordinary Summer (YES). Today, MITY serves over 1,200 students in grades 1 through 12 each year and has a 58-year history.
MITY attracts bright students in grades one through twelve from throughout the Twin Cities and around the world. TCITY was supported by local foundations, businesses, school boards, and private donations, and from 1969 until 1981 the program was fully funded by the Minneapolis and St. Paul districts. MITY students form life-long friendships with students from around the Twin Cities and across the world.
The program offers day and residential options and serves over 1,200 students in grades 1 through 12 each year. Students choose from unique STEM, humanities, and fine arts courses in four academic programs, each taught by master teachers. Classes use an interdisciplinary, hands-on curriculum that asks students to collaborate with diverse peers to generate creative solutions to real-world issues. Each class is limited to 16 students. Students are free to perform without the pressure of grades. The program includes a variety of recreational activities that support friendships among students from around the Twin Cities and across the world. MITY added online classes in 2020 to keep students engaged both academically and socially. In 2024, MITY launched Your Extraordinary Summer (YES) to provide year-round opportunities for 1st–4th grade students.
The leadership team includes Erica Brewinski, Executive Director; Katie Hockert, Assistant Director; and Tessa Meiser, Program Administrator. Erica Brewinski holds a B.A. from Brown University, an M.A. in Educational Policy & Administration from the University of Minnesota, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, is a licensed K–12 Principal in Minnesota, is certified in Professional Development, has taught students in grades 6–12, undergraduates, and graduate students, and was a school administrator for ten years before joining MITY in 2019. Katie Hockert holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in History and Social Studies Secondary Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University, has held 6–12 teaching licenses in Wisconsin and Minnesota, has taught various required and advanced history courses in the Madison Metro School District, and is trained in AVID strategies, National History Day, and Sylvan educational methods. Tessa Meiser holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and master’s degrees in Spanish Language and Literature and Television, Film and New Media.
MITY’s mission is to inspire and challenge intellectually curious students to pursue their passions within a diverse, inclusive community and empower them by building skills and relationships for lifelong success.
Parent and student comments about the program include: “MITY is more than just a program; it's a gateway to countless worlds waiting to be explored. Each session offers the opportunity to acquire new skills, and ignite fresh passions.” A 2025 participant stated, “MITY is a place where you can be yourself.” Other 2025 participants said, “MITY brings talented kids a sense of belonging” and “Total game changer.” A 2025 parent said, “This program is excellent in inspiring kids.” Another MITY parent said, “This is a fantastic program for kids to get more education around a topic(s) of interest that they do not get in their normal school. All smiles and excitement about these Saturdays!”
Last updated June 28, 2026.
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