Clips to show prior to the meeting

• Retrospective on Governor’s School West 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMpZmUnFmq8

• And a great perspective from a student:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXELEEVmi4Q

North Carolina Governor’s SchoolSelected Information for 2014-15

Tom Winton, CoordinatorNorth Carolina Governor’s School

Exceptional Children Division

What’s the big deal?

North Carolina Governor’s School:One Program, Two Campuses

Governor’s School WestSalem CollegeWinston-Salem

Governor’s School EastMeredith College

Raleigh

A Quick History Lesson & Overview• 1963• More than 35,000 alumni!• Program Components

– Bridge high school to college– ‘Question Everything’– Emphasis on contemporary thought

• No tests or grades, just learning

What Do I Study?Well, for starters…Area I

Academics• English• Foreign Language

(Spanish at GSW or French at GSE)

• Mathematics• Natural Science• Social Science

Arts• Choral Music (This year:

Mixed Chorus at GSW; Women’s Chorus at GSE)

• Dance• Instrumental Music

(Wind Ensemble at GSE; Full Orchestra at GSW)

• Theater• Visual Art

Is that all? Just ‘camp’?Well, not exactly…

Area II• Philosophical

thinking and questioning

• Epistemology• Beauty? Art?

Truth? Time? • Tools for thinking

Area III• ‘Self & Society’• Encountering

values and approaching ethics

• Personal reflection

But wait, there’s more…• Seminars• Electives• Speakers and

Convocations• Concerts• Exhibitions• Sports• Field trips• Dances

BDT

Timelines

• September – Nomination packets sent out

• November 14, 2014 – Nominations due to DPI

• February – Auditions and Student Selection

• March – Notification about selection and non-selection

• April 2, 2015 – Acceptance/declination due with tuition obligation

• Mid-June to Late July – Governor’s School!

Nomination Process and Tips• Nomination Packet – READ IT• Eligibility Requirements vs. Selection

Criteria

Eligibility

• Legal North Carolina resident

• Enrolled in 11th grade in North Carolina public or non-public school

• Exceptions

• NO Aptitude Test Score this year

• Achievement Test Score– Approved List– Full composite, area

composite (no subtests), or EOC

– National 92nd %ile through 99th %ile

– No EOGs

Selection Criteria

Scholastic performance• Most recent

grade (if applicable)

• Class rank• Transcript

Personal Data• Two

Recommendation Forms

• Two Essays• Lists of school and

community activities, awards and honors

Auditions

February 7• Choral Music

February 21• Visual Arts• Dance• Theater• Instrumental

Music

Comments from earlier Selection Committees• “School/county needs to check

application”• “Students need to think more deeply

about the prompt…did not adequately address the prompt.”

• “…need to get recommendations from teachers in nominated area”

• “in special circumstance…include why recommendation is coming from another subject teacher”

Comments from earlier Selection Committees• “references/recommendations…

sometimes I feel they do not understand the importance of their comments (or lack thereof) in the selection process.”

• “students should ask before giving recommendation…do you feel comfortable filling out a positive recommendation for me? Some teachers are not giving positive recommendations.”

What About Tuition?

• $500 per student, mandated by North Carolina General Assembly

• Responsibility – Nominating Entity• However…• Scholarship possibilities

• The Governor’s School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has provided financial support for the Governor’s School program since 1993. Since 2012, the Governor’s School Foundation has offered need-based scholarships for students who are selected to attend Governor’s School.

• For GS 2014, the Foundation provided thirty-three scholarships.

• Do not let the $500 tuition prevent you from applying for Governor’s School.

• In March, when you receive your selection letter from DPI, you will receive specific instructions and deadlines for applying for the scholarship on-line.

• The entire scholarship application process—from on-line application to notification—takes about three weeks.

• You will receive notification of scholarship awards by email before the deadline to accept the invitation to attend Governor’s School expires.

• The Foundation notifies the Department of Public Instruction about scholarship recipients. All scholarship monies are paid directly to DPI.

• Questions: Contact the Governor’s School Foundation at scholarships@ncgsfoundation.org or the Office of the NC Governor’s School at DPI at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov.

So, What Are My Chances?What If I Don’t Get Selected?

• One sure way to not get into Governor’s School…

• 25% to 40%• If you don’t get selected, KEEP

FOLLOWING YOUR DREAM!

So, Let’s Say I Attend…Then What?• College Applications• Resumes• Lifelong Connections• Governor’s School

Alumni Association

Questions?• Visit the North Carolina Governor’s

School website at www.ncgovschool.org

• First, ask the Governor’s School Contact at your local school/school system.

• Contact Tom Winton at tom.winton@dpi.nc.gov or 919/807-3319.

• Contact Camilla Roberson, Special Assistant to the North Carolina Governor’s School, at camilla.roberson@dpi.nc.gov or 919/807-3986.