Governor's School provides students with an opportunity to continue learning over the summer with some of the most talented students throughout the commonwealth. Students with a passion for learning in these fields are encouraged to apply. There is no barrier to application at WAHS. Any student, regardless of identification is welcome to apply to Gov School. Please note that for the Visual and Performing Arts, it is an adjudicated process. Governor's School is only available for juniors and mature sophomores.
For more information see the VDOE: Summer Residential Governor's School
The Residential Governor's Schools are as follows with the number of slots in the state next to them (in other words there are only 6 places total in VIMS in the whole state).
For Information on the World Language Academies (Spanish, French, German, Latin, and Japanese), please follow this link to the State or this one for more information on selection at WAHS
Please note that these deadlines are final. Students who do not meet a deadline will not be able to apply.
For more information see the VDOE: Summer Residential Governor's School
The Residential Governor's Schools are as follows with the number of slots in the state next to them (in other words there are only 6 places total in VIMS in the whole state).
For Information on the World Language Academies (Spanish, French, German, Latin, and Japanese), please follow this link to the State or this one for more information on selection at WAHS
Please note that these deadlines are final. Students who do not meet a deadline will not be able to apply.
- Visual and Performing Arts:
- Commit to Adjudicate due 1 November
- Adjudication films due: 10 November
- Application due: 9 January
- Academic Governor's School School Level Application.
- Commitment to Apply due 1 November
- Application due: 5 December
- World Languages Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can apply to Governor's School?
A. Governor's School is for 11th graders (and mature 10th graders) so only folks in those two grades can apply. And you can only go 1 time so if you are an artist who wants to do Humanities as well, you have to choose. In addition you can only apply to 1 program each year you are elligible.
Q. What do we do in Governor's School?
A. You will explore your interests by taking Core classes in the morning and then choosing from elective classes for your afternoons. For example, in Math, Science, and Technology your Core class might be something like Eyes on the Sky: Meteorology of Atmospheric Phenomena. In Humanities it might be Hip Hop Culture, and in Visual Arts it might be 3D Installation Art. Electives change weekly and include all of the areas mentioned in the chart below.
Q. Are there grades at Gov School?
A. You will not have grades at Gov School. It's all for fun and exploration.
Q. Are the classes the only thing we'll do there?
A. No! There will be movie nights, swimming, sports, and plenty of recreation as well.
Q. Who attends Governor's School?
A. The top students in the state attend. If you've always wondered where all your people are, they are at Gov School! My husband went in the 1980s and he is still friends with folks he met there. We have a former student who roomed with her Gov School roommate in college!
Q. Where will I stay at Gov School?
A. Students stay in the college or university dorms and eat in the dining halls. You will have a roommate.
Q. What does Gov School cost?
A. The county and state cover the tuition for you! You are responsible for the activities fees but if this is a hardship, let me know. The are usually around $200.
Q. When will I know if I got in?
A. The Gov School application process is extensive. For Visual and Performing Arts there are two rounds of adjudication (one at the Albemarle County level and one at the state). For Academic Gov School there is a county level committee and then the state level committee. For World Language there is a PLACE test (and yes, I know you've already done it and yes you have to do it again.). Candidates who go to the state level of review will still not hear until mid April.
Q. Is this the only summer program I should focus on?
A. No! This is a great program, but it's not the only program. Since you don't hear from them until so late in the year it's worth it to explore other options as well.
Q. Does this look good on college applications?
A. Sigh. Yes. It is very prestigious. But don't do it for the college suck, please!
A. Governor's School is for 11th graders (and mature 10th graders) so only folks in those two grades can apply. And you can only go 1 time so if you are an artist who wants to do Humanities as well, you have to choose. In addition you can only apply to 1 program each year you are elligible.
Q. What do we do in Governor's School?
A. You will explore your interests by taking Core classes in the morning and then choosing from elective classes for your afternoons. For example, in Math, Science, and Technology your Core class might be something like Eyes on the Sky: Meteorology of Atmospheric Phenomena. In Humanities it might be Hip Hop Culture, and in Visual Arts it might be 3D Installation Art. Electives change weekly and include all of the areas mentioned in the chart below.
Q. Are there grades at Gov School?
A. You will not have grades at Gov School. It's all for fun and exploration.
Q. Are the classes the only thing we'll do there?
A. No! There will be movie nights, swimming, sports, and plenty of recreation as well.
Q. Who attends Governor's School?
A. The top students in the state attend. If you've always wondered where all your people are, they are at Gov School! My husband went in the 1980s and he is still friends with folks he met there. We have a former student who roomed with her Gov School roommate in college!
Q. Where will I stay at Gov School?
A. Students stay in the college or university dorms and eat in the dining halls. You will have a roommate.
Q. What does Gov School cost?
A. The county and state cover the tuition for you! You are responsible for the activities fees but if this is a hardship, let me know. The are usually around $200.
Q. When will I know if I got in?
A. The Gov School application process is extensive. For Visual and Performing Arts there are two rounds of adjudication (one at the Albemarle County level and one at the state). For Academic Gov School there is a county level committee and then the state level committee. For World Language there is a PLACE test (and yes, I know you've already done it and yes you have to do it again.). Candidates who go to the state level of review will still not hear until mid April.
Q. Is this the only summer program I should focus on?
A. No! This is a great program, but it's not the only program. Since you don't hear from them until so late in the year it's worth it to explore other options as well.
Q. Does this look good on college applications?
A. Sigh. Yes. It is very prestigious. But don't do it for the college suck, please!
So which one is for ME?
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Visual & Performing Arts –
250 Students from the state accepted Visual/ Plastic Arts
Vocal Instrumental Theater Dance NB: This is an adjudicated process. Students will audition at both the county level and later at the state level if they are successful at the county level. Want to know how to audition? Click the links above!! Math Science & Technology –
160 Students from the state accepted Math
Biology Chemistry Physics Some comp sci Some engineering Marine Science –
6 Students from the state accepted Oceanography
Marine Resources Management Coastal Laws Fisheries Wetlands Ecology |
Humanities –
100 Students from the state accepted English
History Social Studies/Justice Law Psychology Film Studies Gender Studies Philosophy Agriculture –
100 Students from the state accepted Bio tech
Sustainability Farming Environmental Science Ecology Horticulture Animal Science Resource Management Engineering –
12 Students from the state accepted Aeronautics
Engineering Materials Science Comp Science Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Health and Medical Sciences –
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Math, Science, and Technology Summer Residential Governor's School at Lynchburg College
The Application For Gov School
The best applications have activities, research/study, and awards in different areas. For 2025, the best applicants had different things in each category.
Look at this sample resume for examples
The application requires that you have experience in these three areas:
Look at this sample resume for examples
The application requires that you have experience in these three areas:
ActivitiesThese are things like:
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Research/ StudyThese are things like:
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AwardsThese are things like:
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If you want to apply to Governor's School consider planning in advance. You will need three examples from each of these categories. The more prestigious the better. Governor's school has very high standards, which do not always mesh with the program so be aware of that in advance. You also will need to get your application done before Winter Break, but you will not hear back from them until the middle of April or a little after that which is a long time to wait to know what you'll do for the summer. It's a good idea NOT to put all your eggs in the Gov School basket! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND making alternative plans just in case!
