Governor's Schools Present Opportunities
For Students Completing 7th-11th Grades
The Governor's Schools of West Virginia are residential summer sessions for academically and/or artistically talented students from across West Virginia. The Governor's Schools consist of
three programs that take place every summer on the campuses of various colleges and institutions of learning around the state. Students attend workshops, classes, and events with some of the best faculty and instructors from their field. Governor's Schools are entirely free for students, except for transportation to and from the school. They are administered by the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. The West Virginia Department of Education also assists with in-kind support.
The Governor's Honors Academy (GHA) is for students who are currently high school juniors. In 2012, students will spend three weeks with 199 fellow outstanding West Virginia scholars. The Academy will be held at West Virginia University, July 8-28. Dr. Keith Garbutt is dean.
The Governor's School for Math and Science(GSMS) is for students currently in the seventh or eighth grade. Students work with mentors and faculty on a specific research theme in a hands-on laboratory or field setting. Programs for students who are currently in the seventh grade will be held at WVU . All current eighth-grade students will apply to attend the school at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank. The dean at WVU is Dr. Keith Garbutt, and the leaders at NRAO are Dr. Andy Blackwood and Sue Ann Heatherly. Josh Stevens, who worked as an assistant to Dr. Blackwood last year, will ably assume many of his duties in 2012.
The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) is for curent high school sophomores who exhibit talent in the literary, performing and visual arts. Students attending the GSA are exposed to practicing professionals in their respective fields of writing, dance, music, acting, digital media,drawing and painting. The 2012 Session of GSA is being held at Davis & Elkins College July 1-21, under the leadership of Tom Hackman.
All students applying for the Governor's Schools of West Virginia must currently reside and attend school in West Virginia. They are also expected to attend school in West Virginia the following year. "Attending school" includes those students who are educated in home schools and private/parochial schools. Home-schooled students must provide proof of residency.
- The Governor's School for the Arts is scheduled for July 1-21, 2012,
- at Davis & Elkins College. The deadline for submitting the online portion of the application is January 10. The paper portion (Part II) must be postmarkedd by January 20.
- The Governor's Honors Academy is scheduled for July 8-28 at West Virginia University. Updated information and applications will be available by January 10,, 2012.
- The Governor'sSchools for Mathematics and Science will be held at WVU and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. For the first time this year, the only session for rising ninth graders will be held at the NRAO site. There will be two sessions for rising eight-gaders at WVU, both held in mid-to-late June. The session at NRAO begins Sunday, July 29 and runs through Saturday, August 11.
Direct questions and comments to
Sherry Keffer
Director of Governor’s Schools
Capitol Building 5, Room 205
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-2440
Sherry.L.Keffer@wv.gov