NC Governor's School

The Governor's School of North Carolina is a five-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.  Past participants in the program always express how the program was inspiring and life changing. It is the very best way to spend the summer!

 The North Carolina Governor's School is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically or intellectually gifted high school students in the nation. 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 about 300 students each: Governor's School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem, and Governor's School East at Meredith College in Raleigh. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division. 

 Juniors (11th) can apply for a nomination in 

  • Academic Areas

    • English

    • Spanish

    • Math 

    • Natural Sciences

    • Social Sciences

  • Visual and Performing Arts Areas

    • Art

    • Dance

    • Theater

    • Choral Music

    • Instrumental Music

Sophomores (10th) can apply for a nomination in 

  • Dance

  • Choral Music

  • Instrumental Music

 Planned program dates:  Sunday, June 18, 2023 - Saturday, July 15, 2023 (Students)

Selected students must attend the entire 4 weeks (details on Governor's School webpage).

 Student Application & Recommendations

  • Student Application - Only a public school system, or a special, federal, charter or non-public school can nominate a student to the State level. The is to be completed by the student and sent electronically to your Rocky Mount High School Counselor by NOVEMBER 29th. Please list "Governors School Application" in the title of your email to the Counselor.

  • Recommendations - Students must have two recommendations, one of which must be from a high school teacher (preferably in the subject in which the student will be nominated). The second can be from another teacher, a school counselor or other school official, a non-school coach or community leader, etc. Family recommendations are not allowed. The recommender must download and complete the and then send it electronically to the student's Rocky Mount High School Counselor By November 29th, not to the student or parent. Recommenders, please list "Governors School Recommendation" in the title of your email to the Counselor.

 Students do not need to worry about any cost for the program at this point.  There will be funds to cover the fees for the selected finalists. (cost is around $500)

 For the Governor's School webpage, please https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/north-carolina-governors-school

Questions? Contact the Office of the North Carolina Governor’s School Email:  ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov