
For Prospective Students
The Commonwealth Governor’s School program serves students in grades 9 – 12 from Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford County. CGS students apply to be in the program through their school district. Beginning in January of each year student applications are accepted by the participating school districts and a rigorous identification process ensues. CGS students are selected for the program based on achievement test scores, teacher recommendations, a timed writing assessment, service activities, a portfolio, and an interview. Students in the CGS program are considered to be academically gifted and highly motivated.
CGS students are truly amazing adolescents. Instead of taking the path of least resistance, CGS students have decided to challenge themselves by being part of a very rigorous academic program. In addition, the average CGS student is highly involved in after school activities including SCA, band, VHSL sports, and numerous school organizations. The majority of CGS students are involved in at least one community service project during the year.
Students who successfully complete the requirements of CGS receive an Advanced High School Diploma. In addition, the diploma includes an official Governor’s School Seal issued by the State Department of Education. Beginning with the Class of 2010, all CGS students will be required to sign the Early College Scholars agreement as ninth graders. Students who fulfill the requirements of the agreement receive the Early College Scholars seal on their diploma along with the Governor’s School seal.
APPLICATION PROCESS BY COUNTY
2024-2025 Application process will start about October 2023. Dates and links will be updated as info becomes available.
Caroline
Caroline County – CGS Presentation 2022
Close for 2023-2024 school year
- Application opens – November 14, 2022
- Application closes – January 6, 2022
- Family Info Night – December 5, 2022
- Middle School Visit to CGS Site –
- Testing Window – January 16 – February 3, 2023
- Achievement testing will be administered in reading comprehension and mathematics to all applicants.
- Ability testing will be administered to any student who has not completed one in the past 12 months.
- Interview/Portfolio Window – February 2023
- Acceptance Notification – end of March 2023
Caroline CGS Application – 2022-2023 school year
King George
King George County – CGS Presentation
Close for 2023-2024 school year
- Application opens – November 14, 2022
- Application closes – December 6, 2022
- Testing Window – January 11-13 and 18-20, 2023
- Parent Info Night – November 10, 2022
- Middle School visit to CGS site – December 6, 2022
- Application opens online – November 14, 2022
- Achievement testing will be administered in reading comprehension and mathematics to all applicants.
- Ability testing will be administered to any student who has not completed one in the past 12 months.
- Interview/Portfolio Window – February 13-17, 2023
- Acceptance Notification – Week of February 27, 2023
- Decision Form Due back – March 10, 2023
Link to King George CGS Application (on web page)
Spotsylvania
Spotsylvania County-CGS Presentation
Close for 2023-2024 school year
- Application opens online – December 12, 2022
- Application closes – January 13, 2023
- Advanced Programs Information Nights
- Courtland HS – November 28, 2022 (ALL Advanced High School programs overview )
- Spotsylvania HS – December 1, 2022
- Riverbend HS – December 8, 2022
- Testing Window – Weeks of January 16-20 and 23-27, 2023
- Achievement testing will be administered in reading comprehension and mathematics to all applicants.
- Ability testing will be administered to any student who has not completed one in the past 12 months.
- Interview/Portfolio Date – February 4, 2023
- Acceptance Notification – February 21, 2023
- Decisions due back – March 7, 2023
- Advanced Programs website
- Timeline document Schedule for Advanced HS Programs 2022-23
SCPS Advanced Programs Online Application
Stafford
Stafford County – CGS presentation
Close for 2023-2024 school year
- Application opens
- Oct. 31, 2022
- Application closes
- Nov. 30, 2022
- Family info Night – October 27, (SHS & NSHS) 6:30-8:00pm
- Ability and achievement testing December (as students complete application)
- Interview/Portfolio Window – Month of December
- Acceptance Notification – Week of Jan. 20, 2023
Stafford County Application
- CGS SCPS students link
-
CGS NON SCPS students’ link Potential students from outside of our division should complete the following application.