1. North Carolina Governor’s School 2017
Knightdale High School
Mrs. Kate Davis

2. Governor’s School Overview
The Governor's School of North Carolina is a five and one-half 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.

3. Governor’s School Overview
Writing high quality essays is critical to set you above the typical Governor’s School Applicant. Essays, and the explanation of why extracurricular participation was valuable will highly influence candidate selection. Do not underestimate the written portions!
Sept. 20, 2016 NCDPI will hold an informational meeting at Meredith College-6:00 PM Jones Chapel

4. Oldest statewide summer residential program for academically or intellectually gifted high school students in the nation.
Open to rising seniors only (exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing/visual arts areas)
Two campuses (up to 325 students each):
Governor's School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem (begun in 1963)
Governor's School East at Meredith College in Raleigh (begun in 1978).

5. Only the top 650 students are selected across the entire state.
Administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division.
Only the top 650 students are selected
across the entire state.
Expect competition to be extremely high!

6. Students are assigned a campus, requests for specific campuses are not entertained.
Students MUST commit to attending for the entire 5 weeks. No late arrivals or early exits allowed.
Students may only return home for one weekend/midterm break.
Opening Day (Students move in): Sunday, June 18, 2017
Parents' Day: Thurs., July 6, 2017
Mid-Session Break (Students return to campus): Sun., July 9, 2017
Closing Day (Students move out): Fri., July 26, 2017

7. Important Dates School Application Turn In Date: Fri., October 14th
WCPSS Begins Application Review: Oct. 24
WCPSS informs/mails students’ review results (nomination to North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to continue in the Section process) Nov. 12
Note the differences between DPI nomination deadline (Nov. 12) and WCPSS date. Additional processing time is required due to our size and amazing, but highly competitive applicant pool

8. Primary Resources
NCDPI Governors School website:
Houses all pertinent information
Please note: deadlines for WCPSS will be earlier than those listed on NCDPI website.
All applications must be completed electronically, then printed and signed.
Review the timeline to understand the importance of deadlines. We have to meet DPI’s deadlines!

9. Academic Achievement Criteria
Students are nominated/selected in these disciplines:
In addition to Area I classes (in the discipline in which a student is nominated), students also participate in Area II and Area III classes.
Discipline
Art
Natural Science
Choral Music
Social Science
Dance
Theater
English
World Language: French
Instrumental Music
World Language: Spanish
Mathematics
You have a copy of Acceptable Tests/Instruments (pa with specific information from Central Services.
Let’s look and see if any questions.
PLAN tests may be used for eligibility score

10. Eligibility Requirements
Legal North Carolina residents at time of attendance
Exchange students not eligible
Attend federal schools in the state
Presently enrolled in 11th grade in North Carolina public schools (e.g., local school districts, charter, federal) or non-public schools (e.g., private, home schools, etc.)
Exceptions for rising junior nominations are made in choral music, dance, and instrumental music.
No former Governor’s School student is eligible.
You have a copy of Acceptable Tests/Instruments (pa with specific information from Central Services.
Let’s look and see if any questions.
PLAN tests may be used for eligibility score

11. Eligibility Requirements
Students nominated as rising juniors, but do not attend, may be re-nominated as rising seniors
Must meet achievement criterion established by Board of Governors for North Carolina Governor’s School:
Overall/total composite score or specific area composite/cluster score, or End-of-Course (EOC) scores in area of nomination (92-99%ile).
Scores other than EOCs must have been given in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.
Scores from EOC tests taken in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades will be accepted.

12. Eligibility Requirements
Achievement test criterion used only for eligibility purposes.
Once met, achievement test scores are not used in selection process.
Auditions (for Performing/Visual Arts nominees only ).

13. Nomination Packet & Forms
Download the Nomination Packet for comprehensive information about the program, curriculum, timelines, eligibility and selection criteria, auditions, forms, tuition/scholarships, and more.
The WCPPS submission deadline is much earlier than the packet date due to our district’s size. WCPSS Central Service reviews and selects our limited number of nominees to continue the process.
Forms in the Packet must be completed electronically. To complete, save and print an individual form, download it from the site. Don’t forget signatures!
No handwritten applications are accepted by DPI.

14. Students Complete and Submit to School
Student Application
Experience Form
Recommendation Form (two per student)

15. Students Complete and Submit to School
Recommendation Form (two per student)
Ask for recommendations early, and only from people who will give you a good reference!
One recommendation must be from a teacher in your application area.
The recommendations must be completed by hand, placed in a sealed envelope and signed across the back flap.
The students submit the sealed recommendations with their application to you.

16. The nomination packet is available on the NCDPI website.
Please note the instructions for completing the packets that are posted are provided from the state level to all districts. WCPSS deadlines are earlier than those listed on the website so we can compile and submit the packets for the whole district within the guidelines.

17. Financial Responsibilities
All WCPSS students qualified and selected by DPI to participate will be able to attend.
WCPSS pays half the fee. The remaining $ is paid by the family.
Tuition ($250.00) will be due to WCPSS in early March.
We supply a fee waiver for any student who needs it, so no student needs to apply to DPI for a scholarship! Students are guaranteed funds from WCPSS if needed.
Financial requirements for invited WCPSS will be sent with your acceptance information form.

18. Auditions
Follow NCDPI guidelines for audition selections and requirements.
Ensure that students and teachers of the arts are aware of the guidelines.
WCPSS auditions:
WHEN: October 19, 2016
WHERE: Ligon Middle School
3:00-6:00 pm

19. Application Review Process
Completion Details-use checklist to ensure accurate completion of the application.
Do not staple the applications
Application completed-electronically
Essays – titled & numbered
Experience – on the form
Summer camps are not residential schools
Incomplete or handwritten applications will not be accepted by NC DPI !

20. Q & A
Send academic and procedural questions to Mrs. Davis.
For questions regarding auditions and the arts confirm with both you art teacher and Mrs. Davis.