Summer Residential Governor's Schools

Academic programs include the Math, Science, and Technology program; the Humanities program; the Agriculture Program; the Medical and Health Sciences Program; and the NASA, MHS, and VIMS mentorships.

• October 15: Applications and materials available
• October: Information meeting held at each high school
• October-November: Applicants request teacher recommendations and inform building contact of intent to apply
• November 4, 10 a.m.: Information Meeting for Academics (if unable to attend school information meeting) – Zoom
• December: Applications due to the school point of contact
• January: Applications reviewed by county committee
• Late February: Applicants informed if their application moves forward to the state
• April 15: State informs students of results
• April 22: RSVPs due to programs
• June-July: Program Dates

Academic Application Components

The application must be typed. Virginia requires gifted identification for academic applicants nominated to the state. Students who are not identified as gifted will complete the identification process if their application is sent to the state. After a parent permission form for gifted identification is completed, there is no further action required of the student. They will then have the option to participate in the PWCS gifted program, but are not required to participate in seminars.

Page 1: Personal and Demographic Information

Page 2: Activities, Research, and Honors – Consult the VDOE Scoring Guide and PWCS Page 2 Rubric (Word) for scoring specifics. All acronyms must be written out. Include detailed information about each item, especially if it is not a well-known organization that sponsors the activity. Items must be linked to the application area in order to receive points. Only 3 items can be used in each category. (18 points total)

Essays - There is a personal and a persuasive essay. The personal essay is limited to 250 words. The persuasive essay is a formal academic essay limited to 500 words with an introduction, body, and conclusion, and should have an attached Word document (or PDF) that contains the Works Cited page. The scoring rubric is in the application and in the VDOE Scoring Guide. (36 points total)

Signature Page - Student and parent signatures/initials

Teacher Recommendations - Teacher A must be a current teacher in a subject area directly related to the area of application. Teacher B can be any adult (non-parent) who can attest to your academic capabilities in your application area. Teachers must complete a rating scale. Consult Attachment H (Word) for scoring details. (26 points)

Grades - Current year GPA in core classes is considered. (8 points)

Course Challenge - Level of course challenge is considered. Students completing an Early College Scholars Agreement earn the full 8 points. (8 points)

Test Score - Aptitude or achievement test score. SOL and AP tests are not considered. PSAT, SAT, ACT, and other nationally normed achievement or aptitude tests are considered. (4 points)

If a test score is not available, the Gifted Education Resource Teacher for the school will administer tests to the student with parent permission.

Selection Process

Prince William County is limited to sending 25 agriculture applications and 51 other academic applications for consideration by the state. A committee of teachers representing each school in the division scores the "Activities, Research, and Honors" page, the teacher recommendations, and the essay. Each application is scored by two readers separately. If readers have disparate assessments of the application, two new readers will review the application.

Because of the VDOE deadline and the VDOE limit on the applications sent forward, the decision of the committee is final. You can request to review the scoring of your application, and can do so by contacting [email protected].

It is recommended that you apply in 10th grade, and – if not accepted – apply again in 11th grade. The application experience in 10th grade will help you understand what you need for a stronger application in 11th grade.

The JLAB and VIMS mentorships and Medical and Health Science programs are very selective. They are not introductory programs to engineering, marine science, and medicine. The students accepted to these programs already have extensive experience in activities in the field of application; often, that experience takes place outside of school, such as volunteering in a hospital. If you are interested in one of these programs, you will need to start getting involved in activities 9th and 10th grade. Science fair experience is recommended for applicants to these programs.

The Arts application process requires a local audition, an application, and a state audition. The timeline for auditions is as follows:

October

Artists should complete the audition request before the local auditions (available during the sign-up window of October 1-24).

On October 27, all students who signed up for a local audition will receive instructions for submitting their recording or documents for the local audition. For all performing arts: music, theater, and dance will submit a video recording of their audition (with audio). For visual arts, students will submit a PDF or picture for each of their 10 art pieces.

November

Local audition uploads will be due November 4.

The local auditions are used to determine the 18 artists in each area who will represent PWCS in the state auditions. Once PWCS informs you that you are one of the qualifying students to audition at the state level, you will be sent the state application, which will be completed and turned in to your SRGS building contact. Artists should request two teacher recommendations. Teacher "A" must be a current art teacher in your art area. Teacher B can be another art teacher, classroom teacher, or (unrelated) adult who can comment on your artistic ability/accomplishments.

Please note the differences in the local and state audition criteria.

December

Artists should prepare for the state auditions. Your art teacher at school is a good person to help you review your performance/portfolio.

Applications will be due to the school point of contact.

January

State auditions submissions are due.

March

Early in the month, the county will notify you if you are one of the 14 applicants in each area that PWCS can send to the state for final consideration for the program.

April

Acceptance information is sent by the state on April 15.

June 21-July 11

The program takes place at Radford University.

Art Applications Scoring

The arts applications are scored based on a combination of the state audition score, the application, with the two score items on Page 2 (training, experience, and honors), and the statement of interest.

Auditions are worth 72 points of the application. Local audition requirements are available by clicking on the art area below. State audition requirements will be shared when they are available. You can use the same pieces for local and state auditions, or use different audition pieces:

• Dance Local Audition Criteria
• Music Local Audition Criteria
• Theatre Local Audition Criteria
• Visual Art Local Audition Criteria

Page 1 - Personal and Demographic Information.

Page 2 - Training, Experience, and Honors: One point is awarded for each item. Each year of training can be listed as a separate item. Training is classes taken in the art area (school or private study), experience is performing experience (or art shows for visual artists), and honors can include formal awards and/or selection for key roles, solos, all-county/region/state groups. (9 points total)

Page 3-4 - Student and parent signatures/initials.

Teacher Recommendations - Teacher "A" must be a current art teacher in your art area. Teacher B can be another art teacher, classroom teacher, or (unrelated) adult who can comment on your artistic ability/accomplishments. Teachers must complete a rating scale and a narrative (letter). (19 points total)