1. North Carolina Governor’s School Selected Information for 2015-16
This PowerPoint is to accompany a verbal presentation at informational meetings. The slides themselves do not have all the detailed information; rather, they are meant to spur discussion by informed presenters. All presenters should refer participants to the Governor’s School website and Nomination Packet for more detailed information.

2. A Quick History Lesson & Overview
1963
One program, two campuses
More than 35,000 alumni!
Program Components
Bridge high school to college
‘Question Everything’
Emphasis on contemporary thought
No tests or grades, just learning
The North Carolina Governor’s School started in 1963 under the direction of Governor Terry Sanford. It was the first program of its kind in the country and became the model on which other states fashioned their programs.
Governor’s School is ONE PROGRAM ON TWO CAMPUSES. Governor’s School West is held on the campus of Salem College in Winston-Salem. Governor’s School East is held on the campus of Meredith College in Raleigh. The campuses are identical except for the following: Spanish is at West/French is at East; a full orchestra is at West/a wind ensemble is at East; a full mixed choir is at East this year/a soprano-alto only choir is at West this year.
Since 1963, we have had over 35,000 North Carolina high school students go through the program and then on into successful careers both here in the state and throughout the country. Our graduates are leaders in many fields and include doctors, lawyers, artists, teachers, business leaders, pastors, university faculty, authors, performers, scientists, and more.
The program was designed to be a bridge between the high school and college experiences, which is why we have always conducted this high school-age program on college campuses. We encourage students to ‘question everything’ and emphasize contemporary and cutting-edge ideas and approaches in all our fields.
Finally, we give no quizzes, tests, grades, progress reports, marks, credits, gold stars, smiley faces or report cards. It’s all about the learning and the unique educational experience the student will encounter.

3. Information Brochure Governor’s School website
Local? Contact your high school counselor
Three of your best sources of info are listed here. There is a brochure that has been printed and is being distributed at Informational Meetings. The GS website has comprehensive information, including the Nomination Packet and fillable forms. Your local high school counselor should be able to point you in the right direction to find out about the local nomination process.

4. What do I study? Well, for starters…Area I
Academics
Arts
English
Foreign Language (Spanish at GSW or French at GSE)
Mathematics
Natural Science
Social Science
Choral Music (This year: Mixed Chorus at GSE; S/A Chorus at GSW)
Dance
Instrumental Music (Wind Ensemble at GSE; Full Orchestra at GSW)
Theater
Visual Art
There are five academics areas and five arts areas. These are the areas in which students are nominated and selected. Each Area I class meets once in the morning and once in the afternoon on weekdays and once on Saturday mornings.
Again, the emphasis in on contemporary thought. For example, in English, you might study Contemporary American Short Fiction, such as the works of John Barth or Lee Smith; or you might study 20th Century poetry or perhaps postmodernism in literature. In Mathematics, it might be game theory, non-euclidean geometry, knot theory, the mathematics behind illusion and magic, and so on. In Choral and Instrumental Music, the emphasis is 20th and 21st century composers (no Mozart, Puccini or Tchaikovsky). In Dance, the focus is modern dance, not ballet. In Social Science, think of studying current history and social issues, not memorizing dates from centuries ago. And so it goes for all the Area I classes.
While both campuses have all ten disciplines, there are some differences. The French program is at Governor’s School East; Spanish is at Governor’s School West. The Instrumental Music program at Governor’s School East is a wind ensemble with percussion, whereas Governor’s School West has a full orchestra. Consequently, all selected students in stringed instruments go to West. Finally, this year’s Choral Music program at East will be mixed (i.e., soprano/alto/tenor/bass) while West will be only a soprano/alto chorus.

5. 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
What makes Governor’s School different from any ‘summer camp’ or educational experience is Area II and Area III. These classes are integrated with at least one student from each of academics and arts disciplines on the campus. This offers rich perspectives from the mathematician, the dancer, the literary scholar, the singer, and so on.
Area II is a kind of ‘philosophy’ class, but is more practical in that it jumps right into asking big questions. How do we know what we know? What is beauty? What is truth? These and many others are approached through literature, film, activities and discussion; all with the purpose of not necessarily coming up with answers, but with equipping students with the tools to address the questions.
Area III, another integrated class, involves taking these big questions and other things explored in Areas I and II and with additional presentations and performances and then applying them to students’ own personal views and lives. It stresses the importance of sorting out one’s own value system before seeking out social ills to engage.

6. But wait, there’s more… Seminars Electives Speakers Convocations
Concerts
Exhibitions
Sports
Field trips
Dances
In addition to Areas I, II and III, there’s what our Director of Governor’s School East calls ‘Area IV’, which is really ‘everything else’, from special seminars and electives that are offered by faculty and staff to special presentations by guest speakers from within and outside North Carolina on a wide range of fascinating topics. Also, Visual/Performing Arts students offer concerts and exhibitions; Academics classes offer presentations and displays, all to the wider campus. There are also sports opportunities like basketball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, etc. Each campus has some field trips and there is a semi-formal dance on each campus near the end of the session. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to hang out with old friends and make new ones. Always something to do at Governor’s School!

7. Timelines September – Nomination packets sent out – READ IT!
November 13, 2015 – Nominations due to DPI
February – Auditions and Student Selection
March – Notification about selection
April 8, 2016 – Acceptance due
June 19 to July 27 – Governor’s School!
These are the general timelines by month; specific dates and locations are sent to Governor’s Schools Contacts throughout the state. More details, including the starting, break and ending dates of the summer session, will be listed on the Governor’s School website.

8. Eligibility 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
Legal North Carolina resident
Enrolled in 11th grade in North Carolina public or non-public school
Exceptions
Eligibility Requirements vs. Selection Criteria – understand the difference. Eligibility is what you must have/be to be nominated. However, once that eligibility is established, it is no longer used in the selection process. Selection criteria, on the other hand, is the info the selection committees use to decide who will be invited to attend. And this is eligibility and selection AT THE STATE LEVEL; LOCAL SCHOOLS/SCHOOL SYSTEMS CAN HAVE MORE RIGOROUS METHODS TO DETERMINE WHICH ARE THE STRONGEST STUDENTS TO SUBMIT FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE STATE LEVEL.
Eligibility Requirements – these are the requirements simply to be eligible to be nominated for Governor’s School. Schools/school systems must verify and/or show evidence that nominees meet these requirements. More information is available in the Nomination Packet, on the Governor’s School website, or through contact with the Governor’s School Office.
Exceptions – We do allow 10th graders to apply in Choral Music, Instrumental Music and Dance. Why? It’s more challenging to get talented students in these areas than others
Test Scores
Aptitude Test Scores have been suspended for the last year and this year ( and )
Achievement Test Scores still required; see Packet for more info
HOWEVER, local schools/school systems can still use aptitude test scores and/or other measures (local auditions, interviews, other essays, etc.) to determine the nominees they will send to the state. We’ve always allowed that flexibility at the local level, and this continues.
Once eligibility is determined, it is no longer used in the Selection process. You can’t be ‘more’ of a legal resident and we don’t value 10th graders less. Also, a 98 on a test doesn’t ‘count more’ than a 92 for selection purposes.

9. Selection Criteria (NOTE: Local schools may use additional criteria.)
Scholastic Performance
Most recent grade (if applicable)
Class rank
Transcript
Personal Data
Two Recommendations
Two Essays
Lists of school and community activities, awards and honors
These are the criteria used for selection of students nominated in academics. The Selection Committee does not use achievement or EOC test scores in its processes for considering nominees. Scholastic Performance and Personal Data, however, are used and it is important that these components are completed well. Specifics instructions on each component are in the Nomination Packet. Follow them closely.

10. Auditions February Choral Music Dance Instrumental Music Theater
Visual Arts
For students nominated in Visual/Performing Arts, there are also auditions. Auditions serve as complements to the aforementioned student applications. These auditions are usually held at Meredith College in Raleigh in February. Specific information on auditions is available in the Nomination Packet. Additional information will be sent to nominees several weeks before auditions.
There will be some options for video auditions in Choral Music, Instrumental Music and Theater (not Visual Art or Dance, due to the nature of those audition procedures). Details will be released this fall. The video would be administered and submitted by the school/school system that nominates the student and according to very specific directions our office sends out. Every effort is made to replicate the in-person audition experience without giving any student an unfair advantage.

11. What About Tuition?
$500 per student, to complement partial funding by NC General Assembly
Responsibility – Nominating Entity
However…scholarship possibilities
GSF at
Office of the NC Governor’s School at
We do charge $500 tuition per student. This because the partial funding by the North Carolina General Assembly does not fully address the costs of the program.
The official responsibility for submitting these tuition payment to DPI rests with the Nominating Entity, that is, the public school system, charter school, special school, or non-public school that nominated the student.
However, we give these Nominating Entities flexibility in how they gather the funds to pay for students. We’ve seen every kind of set up: schools/school systems paying everything; requiring parents to pay; and everything in-between. And it can change from year to year. Find out what your school/school system will require this year.
We want no student to avoid applying to or attending Governor’s School due to tuition costs. The North Carolina Governor’s School Foundation (GSF) is providing scholarship opportunities to all selected students. Look to the GSF website for more information.
The Governor’s School Foundation – 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
If the school/school system requires families to pay part/all tuition.
For GS 2015, the Foundation provided 37 scholarships.
Apply in March, only after receiving a selection letter.
GSF works with Department. No $ exchanged with families.
Questions:
GSF at
Office of the NC Governor’s School at

12. Chances? Questions? One sure way to not get into Governor’s School…
If NOT selected, KEEP FOLLOWING YOUR DREAM!
ASK!
Local: high school counselor
State: or
Contacts
Tom Winton, Coordinator, or 919/
Camilla Roberson, Special Asst., or 919/
The one sure way to not get into Governor’s School is to not apply at all. Otherwise, all students have a shot.
Depending on the number of nominees in a particular area and the size of each program, between 25% and 40% get selected, on average, each year. So it is a selective process, but not impossible. For the 2015 Governor’s School, we had 1,849 nominated and 650 of those were selected (about 35%). Obviously, a large number of students who apply do not get selected. So, are there some areas for which it is ‘easier’ to get selected than others? Difficult to say, because the numbers of interested students in a particular area changes each year. Our advice: don’t try to ‘game’ the system; follow your passion and go for the area in which you are the strongest and have the most interest.
We remind students to keep following their passion, even if they don’t get selected. Governor’s School is one of many educational opportunities they will have and they should not be dissuaded from continuing to pursue the academics or arts area(s) they really love. Hopefully this application process, regardless of selection, is good practice for applications for college and other programs.
Your first recourse to address questions is the Governor’s School website, which is where authoritative information is located. Of course, the Governor’s School Contact at the local school/school system should be the first contact and available to parent/student/teacher questions. The Governor’s School Office is also available, at the contact information on the screen.