Over the past few weeks, Leesville Road High School juniors began submitting their Governor’s School applications. Hopeful applicants now begin the wait for impending results.
Governor’s School is a five week summer program that houses academically gifted high school students. These students either excel in a variety of academic disciplines or fine arts.
There are ten areas the Governor’s School offers classes for English, French, Spanish, mathematics, natural science, social science, art, choral music, instrumental music, theater, and dance. Unlike traditional education programs, Governor’s School explores each topic with new ideas and concepts.\
The interesting part about Governor’s School is that it doesn’t involve tests or grades. The school focuses more on the joys of education and knowledge.
In order to be selected into Governor’s School, students must go through a process of nominations. Teachers, counselors, and even principals must nominate the applicant to Leesville Road High School’s superintendent. Nominations are only accepted if the student attends an interest meeting.
The selection process that follows depends on the particular educational area the student wishes to pursue. Students who wish to pursue an academic course are chosen for Governor’s School by a selection committee. The same goes for students pursuing a language. This process is similar to the process students endure when applying for college. On the other hand, students who wish to participate in the performing and visual arts must perform before judges.
Although Governor’s School offers different areas of education, each student follows the same structured schedule.
“Students take courses in three curricular areas: Area I, their focus discipline, meeting twice daily; and Areas II and III integrative classes with students from various disciplines, meeting three times a week on alternate days,” the Governor’s School website states.
Education isn’t the only thing Governor’s School hopes to provides to its attendees.
“We had a bunch of ‘quad time’ which is where everybody just hung out and everybody played instruments. We [also] watched movies together which was really, really fun. We had a party every single weekend and we had a dance…and it’s literally the best time ever. Everybody’s so cool,” said Lizzy Gifford, senior. Gifford attended Governor’s School last year for performing arts.
The Governor’s School has two campus locations: Governor’s School West is located on the campus of Salem College in Winston-Salem and Governor’s School East is located on the campus of Meredith College in Raleigh. Unfortunately, students are unable to choose their preferred location.
For the 2014 year, Governor’s School will take place June 15 until July 23.
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