WHAT IS A "GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL"?
The Governors' School concept and practice began in North Carolina in 1963 when Governor Terry Sanford established the first one at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. The idea came from a member of Governor Sanford's staff, novelist John Ehle. This first school was initially funded through a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. Later it came under the auspices of the North Carolina Board of Education.
After the first school was established, several states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Kentucky, quickly established similar schools. It should be pointed out that some of the NCoGS affiliated schools do not bear the words "Governor's School" in their titles, although many do. The mission and purpose of schools from individual states vary from one state to another and indeed from one school to another. The National Conference of Governor's Schools enjoys a very diverse group in its affiliated schools.
There are both collective and common features in all states and schools.
After the first school was established, several states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Kentucky, quickly established similar schools. It should be pointed out that some of the NCoGS affiliated schools do not bear the words "Governor's School" in their titles, although many do. The mission and purpose of schools from individual states vary from one state to another and indeed from one school to another. The National Conference of Governor's Schools enjoys a very diverse group in its affiliated schools.
There are both collective and common features in all states and schools.
- Each school is a summer program for gifted and talented youths of high school ages.
- Each school has highly selective criteria for student selection.
- Most member schools are supported entirely or in large part by their state legislatures and educational funding.
- Schools vary in the length of their sessions from one week to six weeks.
- All schools welcome inquiries regarding program and curricula.
HOW TO ESTABLISH A GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL?
Establishing a governor's school program requires participation in the political process. While each state has different strategies for creating governor's schools, the general process is as follows.
- Political will is generated to encourage a study on establishing a program. This political will typically comes as a result of parents, students, and educators lobbying elected representatives to propose a study during legislative session.
- A legislator proposes or, better yet, a coalition of legislators propose legislation to fund a study on establishing a governor's school.
- The legislature approves funding for a study of a particular type of governor's school. This study often involves the state's department of education and includes a thorough literature review, examination of various curricular and funding models, and close analysis of similar programs in the nation.
- The results of the study come in the form of a recommendation to fund a fuily-functioning program; the results also generally recommend funding strategies, a draft budget, minimum and maximum number of students, application procedures, and other logistical and curricular recommendations.
- The legislature then acts upon the recommendation and passes legislation creating the governor's school program. The governor and legislature must come to agreement on the program before legislation can be enacted, and this process often takes longer than expected.
- The legislation normally identifies the state agency responsible for planning and implementing the program. In most states, this agency is the department of education. This agency then becomes responsible for distributing, collection, and adjudicating Requests for Proposals, normally from public and private institutions of higher learning in the state.
- Once a host is selected, the application process begins, normally through public and private school guidance counselors. In addition, the host institute becomes the fiscal agent for the program, taking on the responsibility of executing the grant as stipulated in the accepted RFP and contract. The fiscal agent normally provides a report to the agency each year that covers expenditures, outcomes, and recommendations for improvement.
Where are governor's schools held?
Most governor's schools are held on college campuses. Each state's process for choosing the location of individual governor's schools is unique.
College campuses tend to provide the best academic and artistic facilities for students and instructors. However, some specialized arts programs may utilize private studios and academies, and some mentorship programs may utilize educational settings that are not school based. Contact each program to find out where it is hosted.
College campuses tend to provide the best academic and artistic facilities for students and instructors. However, some specialized arts programs may utilize private studios and academies, and some mentorship programs may utilize educational settings that are not school based. Contact each program to find out where it is hosted.
WHICH STATES OFFER GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS?
The number of states that operate summer residential governor's school programs fluctuates as programs gains and lose legislative funding. For example, Tennessee lost all its governor's school programs one year as a result of budget cuts; the programs were then reinstated, in slightly modified form, the following year. In general, between 15 and 20 states offer governor's school programs any given summer.
The National Conference of Governor's Schools maintains a list of known governor's school programs. Since many states offer multiple programs at the same time, the number of individual governor's schools is over 50. Access the full list on the Programs page.
The National Conference of Governor's Schools maintains a list of known governor's school programs. Since many states offer multiple programs at the same time, the number of individual governor's schools is over 50. Access the full list on the Programs page.
WHICH GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL CAN I/MY STUDENT ATTEND?
Governor's school programs are funded, in part or in full, by state legislatures and/or governor's offices. As a result, governor's schools are available exclusively to residents of the funding state or commonwealth. Students living in states that do not have a governor's school program are unable to attend. As a result, the National Conference of Governor's Schools encourages parents and youth in states without governor's school programs to lobby their elected representatives to propose and fund such programs.
For students who do not enjoy the opportunity to attend a governor's school, national programs for gifted students are available. A couple examples are; Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP), or Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY). Be aware that these programs are neither free nor state-sponsored. Other opportunities can be found through The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) or their state affiliate.
For students who do not enjoy the opportunity to attend a governor's school, national programs for gifted students are available. A couple examples are; Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP), or Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY). Be aware that these programs are neither free nor state-sponsored. Other opportunities can be found through The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) or their state affiliate.
ARE ALL GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS SUMMER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS?
Although the National Conference of Governor's Schools affiliates and represents only summer residential governor's school programs, other types of programs do exist.
South Carolina offers two academic year (9-month) residential governor's schools: the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (SCGSSM) and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH).
Virginia offers three additional types of governor's school programs beyond its Summer Residential programs: Academic-Year (non-residential) programs; Summer Regional (mostly non-residential) programs; and summer residential Governor's Foreign Language Academies.
South Carolina offers two academic year (9-month) residential governor's schools: the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (SCGSSM) and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH).
Virginia offers three additional types of governor's school programs beyond its Summer Residential programs: Academic-Year (non-residential) programs; Summer Regional (mostly non-residential) programs; and summer residential Governor's Foreign Language Academies.
HOW MUCH DOES GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL COST?
Since most governor's school programs are partially funded and wholly endorsed by the state or commonwealth, tuition fees are kept as low as possible.
Each individual program must develop its own tuition policies based on funding formulae. Some programs charge no tuition, which others charge partial tuition. Since no standard formula applies to all governor's school program, it's best to contact the individual program for complete information.
Each individual program must develop its own tuition policies based on funding formulae. Some programs charge no tuition, which others charge partial tuition. Since no standard formula applies to all governor's school program, it's best to contact the individual program for complete information.
WHY ARE SOME GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS NOT CALLED "GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL"?
Not all governors or state legislatures wish to connect the governor's school program to the governor. While the reasons for such decisions are largely political, the defining characteristic of being endorsed and supported by the state or commonwealth remains consistent from program to program, regardless of name.
As a result, New York's program is called the New York State Summer School for the Arts (NYSSSA) and Missouri's programs are called the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA).
In addition, some legislatures, governors, and/or education departments prefer the program not be called a school. As a result, Kentucky's liberal arts program is called the Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) and Vermont's program is called the Governor's Institutes of Vermont (GIV).
Finally, some programs are administered by non-governmental or quasi-governmental entities. For example, the Kentucky arts program is called The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) because it is housed within the partially state-funded Kentucky Center.
As a result, New York's program is called the New York State Summer School for the Arts (NYSSSA) and Missouri's programs are called the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA).
In addition, some legislatures, governors, and/or education departments prefer the program not be called a school. As a result, Kentucky's liberal arts program is called the Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) and Vermont's program is called the Governor's Institutes of Vermont (GIV).
Finally, some programs are administered by non-governmental or quasi-governmental entities. For example, the Kentucky arts program is called The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) because it is housed within the partially state-funded Kentucky Center.
