Governor's Honors Academy
Bethany College
Saturday, June 27-Saturday July 18, 2009

GHA: It's the Chance of a Lifetime
Write and perform your own play....Work with professional scientists on a research project ...Discuss your rights as an American from the perspective of the writers of the Constitution. ...Work through complicated calculus problems using everyday knowledge...
Any of these appeal to you? Join a community of scholars at the 2009 West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy (GHA) at Bethany College in the northern panhandle. GHA offers students who are currently juniors in high school the opportunity to live and learn with 179 other outstanding West Virginia scholars in a three-week residential experience. IT'S FREE for West Virginia juniors who are outstanding students and school citizens!
Students selected for this prestigious program will live on the Bethany campus for three weeks, taking academically enriching classes and participating in high-level discussions. In addition, there are activities each afternoon and a program each evening. Because of its proximity to Pittsburgh, most field trips are to that area.
To see sample classes, visit the Intensive and Broad-Based course description sections by clicking on the links on the menu bar. Several of the classes will, of course, be different, but you can get a "feel" for thestudy opportunities available at GHA.
1. The application process is multi-tiered. Students submit applications
to the school; the school rank orders the applications and sends them to
the county coordinator. The county selection team then chooses one male
and one female to attend the Governor's Honors Academy. Additional names
are submitted to the statewide pool for consideration. Approximately 70
students are selected from this pool. In addition, there are spaces reserved
for fifteen outstanding career/technical students (formerly referred to
as Vo-Tech).
2. All applications are online and must be typed.
3. Students selected for GHA are required to be in attendance for the full time. They will not be excused for such activities as Boys Nation, Girls Nation, family weddings, band camp, etc.
4. Through an arrangement with the West Virginia Department of Education, career/technical students representing the state may be excused by special permission from the dean.
5. The deadline for submission by the counties is February 18, 2009. Check with your counselor for the school deadline.
GHA 2009
June 27-July 18
2009 GHA students, click Handbook for Students and Parents to access the handbook as well as the forms you are to complete and return
Great news! Plans are in the making for a 25th anniversary celebration for GHA. The event is planned for July 11, 2009, on the campus of Bethany College, while GHA 2009 is in session. Make plans with us for a return to Paradise for one day. Who knows? We may even serve some cheeseburgers!
A History of the Governor's Schools of West Virginia