Twin Cities Institute for Talented Youth (TCITY) was launched in 1967 when several Minneapolis and St. Paul public school educators, along with their academically gifted students, sought a way to continue learning beyond the regular school year.  With the support of local foundations, businesses, school boards, and private donations, 300 talented high school students were selected to participate. The first summer classes were held at Murray Senior High School (now Murray Junior High School) in St. Paul.

In 1969, the TCITY office was moved to Macalester College.  From then until 1981, the program was fully funded by the Minneapolis and St. Paul districts, and only students who resided in those districts could attend.  When state funding for summer programs was eliminated, TCITY became a non-profit organization that was open to all talented students and charged tuition.

In 1985, TCITY offered its first residential program.  Eight years later, ExplorSchool, a program for current 5th and 6th graders, was launched at Randolph Heights Elementary School in St. Paul.  That same year, 1993, TCITY changed its name to Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) to reflect its booming student population, which now consisted of youth from across Minnesota, the country and the world.