Program Strands

Multifaceted, Rigorous Academics
The Governor’s School is a two-year, half-day program for 11th and 12th graders. Additional courses will be taken at the home high school to complete an Advanced Diploma degree. Each strand provides a unique emphasis on both the science subject matter and associated career fields. Students will be able to participate in one of the following three strands:

  • The Engineering Strand involves an intense, rigorous study of fundamental principles of engineering and calculus-based physics. Students develop a passion for calculus and physics during their junior year. Building a robot, constructing a fuel cell, and then proceeding to on-line technology that studies air-bag deployment principles in automobiles are just a few of the engineering activities students experience in the course. The ideas of Maxwell and Hawking are studies during the senior year. Understanding the physics behind such inventions as the TV, computers, and magnetic resonance imaging technology round out the senior year.  
  • The Biological Science Strand provides insights into organic and inorganic chemistry in conjunction with cell and molecular biology by employing advanced technologies utilized in medicine, forensic science, and research labs. An advanced level understanding of biology and chemistry sets the stage for senior students to argue controversial topics concerning the environment. Analyze water quality and biodiversity during monthly sampling of a nearby pond.  Extensive field work and laboratory analysis generates a nine-month database for a more comprehensive understanding of our local environment.
  • The Scientific Programming Strand combines the study of structured and object-oriented programming with applications in practical, non-calculus based, physics scenarios.  The best of two worlds! Develop insight into applying computer programming techniques to real world situations. Physics topics include classical mechanics, fluid dynamics and thermodynamics.  Using “calling functions” to study the speed of sound in objects and analyzing operator overloading are just a few of the unique approaches to master C/C++ in a Unix environment while learning physics!  The second year course will include features of microprocessors and assembly language programming.

With small class sizes and advanced-degreed faculty, the learning environment at the Governor’s School is truly unique. Each course has been specifically structured to incorporate best practices for gifted students. Each strand requires completion of one year high school biology, one year of high school chemistry, and Algebra II/Trig prior to admission. For the engineering strand, students must have successfully completed Math Analysis (Pre-Calculus) prior to admission. All stands encompass a math course during both the junior and senior year. Placement in the appropriate math course will be determined upon admission at the end of 10th grade. In addition, each strand will foster research through a Research Methods and Ethics course the junior year and an Honors Research and Mentorship placement the senior year. In total, students will spend approximately 3 hours at the Governor’s School, taking three courses each year during the two-year program.

Scientific Research Experience
During their two years at the Governor’s School, students will experience hands-on science through classroom experimentation and individualized project research.

  • The junior year research experience involves
      • various aspects of research methodology,
      • ethics and statistics,
      • critical thinking skills,
      • scientific writing and communication skills,
      • a research project for submission to Tidewater Science Fair.
  • During the senior year, students participate in an Honors Research and Mentorship experience with a professional. Final projects are presented to the local scientific and professional community as a culminating experience in May. The opportunity to work with a professional in research is an invaluable experience toward career pursuits.

Applied Leadership
A variety of school activities, clubs, and competitions provide students with opportunities to cultivate their leadership skills. Social interaction and community-building are integral components of the program. The Student Advisory Board provides another opportunity for students to lead their peers in the organization of the program and school travel activities.