About The North Carolina Governor's School:
North Carolina Governor's School
The Governor's School of North Carolina is a 4-week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and does not involve credit, tests, or grades.
The North Carolina Governor's School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The program, which is open to rising seniors only, with exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing/visual arts areas, is located on two campuses of up to 335 students each. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education. A Board of Governors, appointed by the State Board of Education, acts as an advisory body.
Started with philanthropic grants, the program was for over 40 summers wholly funded by the General Assembly of North Carolina. State aid was terminated in the spring of 2011, throwing its survival into doubt. However, fundraising efforts by the non-profit NC Governor's School Foundation saved the program from extinction. After a scaled-back version of GS was funded entirely by private donors (mostly alumni of the program) in 2012, the NC General Assembly restored partial funding for 2013 and beyond.
The program is administered by the NC Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division. A Board of Governors, appointed by the State Board of Education, acts as an advisory body.
The Governor's School of North Carolina is a 4-week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and does not involve credit, tests, or grades.
The North Carolina Governor's School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The program, which is open to rising seniors only, with exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing/visual arts areas, is located on two campuses of up to 335 students each. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education. A Board of Governors, appointed by the State Board of Education, acts as an advisory body.
Started with philanthropic grants, the program was for over 40 summers wholly funded by the General Assembly of North Carolina. State aid was terminated in the spring of 2011, throwing its survival into doubt. However, fundraising efforts by the non-profit NC Governor's School Foundation saved the program from extinction. After a scaled-back version of GS was funded entirely by private donors (mostly alumni of the program) in 2012, the NC General Assembly restored partial funding for 2013 and beyond.
The program is administered by the NC Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division. A Board of Governors, appointed by the State Board of Education, acts as an advisory body.
- "It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge and focus on learning in an area you care about, living in an environment in which learning is not required, but encouraged and enjoyed. While school’s strict expectations and rigid nature can be suffocating, the Governor’s School atmosphere is light and elicits natural growth.” — Governor’s School East student, 2019
- "Governor’s School is the best venture I have ever taken part in. You’re surrounded by wonderful and intelligent people and staff who make you strive to be a better and more complete person. The curriculum is challenging and will give you even more of a thirst for knowledge.” — Governor’s School West student, 2019
- Governor’s School offers amazing educational opportunities to selected students in ten different academics and arts disciplines. Each student’s chosen discipline becomes their Area I class. See the Area I descriptions below and then review the associated pages (i.e., Areas II and III; Electives & Seminars; Speakers and Convocations; Student Life and Daily Schedule) to understand the fullness of this robust and unique program, profoundly impacting the lives and education of hundreds of North Carolina’s brightest high school students every summer. - “Too good to be true, but somehow it’s real!” - Governor’s School West Student, 2021
All students study in three curricular areas:
AREA I
The basic study of the student's nomination, that emphasizes contemporary texts, compositions, artistic expressions, issues, and ideas and the theories that flow from them. Each campus focuses on ten academic and performing/visual arts disciplines:
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AREA II
Study that explores connections between and among the Area I disciplines. As integrative concepts emerge, the class attempts to construct an understanding of contemporary ways of thinking and of the culture that arises from them. AREA III Study that grounds the learning from Areas I and II in student's own personal experience, and applies that understanding to their social worlds; that is, they try to discover links between ideas and actions, theory and practice. Area I, II, and III classes are augmented by a rich array of visiting speakers, performances, exhibitions, field trips, demonstrations, optional seminars, and film series. (Social and recreational events complement the academic focus.) |
Faculty and Staff of NC GSE:
Faculty and staff are drawn from bright, dedicated teachers and professionals across the country, from public and private schools, colleges and universities, and independent artists and scholars. Most faculty members are in residence on campus and with the teaching assistants/counselors and students form a true community of learners.
Meet Our Faculty and Staff
Meet Our Faculty and Staff