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The National Conference of Governor's Schools
NCoGS is the national organization of summer residential governor’s school programs. |
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Letter from the President
As my NCoGS Presidential predecessor, Celeste Archer, so eloquently stated: “Governor's Schools are one of the best kept secrets our nation has in its education pocket. They started in 1963, based on an idea from a governor in North Carolina, as a way to keep the best and brightest students in state for college and/or career - combatting brain drain.” I am one of those individuals who did not know, nor ever imagined the concept of a Governor’s School until the mid-1990’s when I was asked to write a letter of recommendation for a nominee of the Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program, a program that already had a long history at that point, having begun in 1964. That introduction led me on a long and rewarding affiliation with the Georgia program as I, as a K12 educator, taught, nominated, and assisted students and schools with the selection process ultimately had several students attend the program. Again and again, year after year, students consistently returned to us with rave reviews of how the Governor’s School had been a truly life-changing experience. Unexpectedly, but happily, that experience came full circle in 2014, when I became the Program Manager of the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, working with every aspect of the program, including the students’ summer residential experiences. This role provided me with a new, more robust understanding of how impactful and transformational that this and other Governor’s Schools programs around the country are to students—and to the educators who teach within those programs. My administrative experiences and passion for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program also led me to join NCoGS, where I had the invaluable opportunity to learn from and about similar programs around the country. This organization is THE place where one can share, plan, discuss, and learn from individuals who understand how invaluable Governor’s Schools are and, in their varied roles within these programs, truly “live” the concept year-round. I cannot overstate how beneficial that it has been to share information, to bounce ideas around with my NCoGS peers, and to LEARN from this unique, knowledgeable, and deeply committed group of people. With that being said, I strongly encourage everyone who works with a Governor’s School to join our organization and attend our annual conference. These programs are powerful opportunities and experiences for the students and adults who benefit from them, and NCoGS offers a rare and important support system that keeps these programs vibrant and their leaders on the cutting edge of how to effectively support these Governor’s Schools. There’s truly nothing like this group and all that it offers in learning and sharing our experiences with one another. -Richard Parmer 
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NCOGS is headed to New Orleans in 2025!
Dates: October 9th-12th, 2025 NCoGS is excited to share images from our 2024 conference at Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville, Kentucky.
NCOGS 2024 Group!
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