This summer, 670 of North Carolina’s most academically gifted and creative rising high school juniors and seniors will explore cutting-edge ideas and concepts in academics and the arts as part of the 2017 session of the North Carolina Governor’s School. The 2017 session runs from June 18 - July 26.

In congratulating the students, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Chief Academic and Digital Learning Officer Maria Pitre-Martin said, “Governor’s School challenges our brightest and most creative students to develop their academic and creative skills in new ways. The experience of Governor’s School helps these young scholars and artists see new opportunities that can shape their lives after high school.”

Local school superintendents, along with directors of charter and private schools initially nominate students to attend Governor’s School. The program is open to rising seniors only with exceptions made to include rising juniors in selected performing arts areas. Each school system, charter school and private school is allotted a certain number of nominations based on its 10th- and 11th-grade populations. There are 10 specialization areas for nomination: English, foreign language (French or Spanish), mathematics, natural science, social science, art, choral music, instrumental music, theater and dance.

Faculty and staff of the Governor’s School include distinguished teachers and professionals from public and private schools, colleges and universities across the country. Others are independent artists and scholars. To further enrich the students’ experience, many faculty members are in residence on campus as well.

Gov. Terry Sanford founded the Governor’s School of North Carolina in 1963. The program, which does not involve credit, tests or grades, is the oldest statewide summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students in the nation.

Governor’s School is located on two campuses: Governor's School West (Salem College in Winston-Salem) and East (Meredith College in Raleigh). Additional information on North Carolina Governor’s School, including the complete lists of Governor’s School East and West participants, is available online.