Admissions

Welcome to the CVGS Admissions Information Page 

There are many exciting opportunities available at CVGS, and we are proud of our programs, our students, and all our students accomplish while they are with us.

Students at CVGS conduct original research projects, use sophisticated equipment and software, participate in an award winning internship program, and pursue a rigorous academic curriculum.

Along with the curricular challenges and unique experiences of the CVGS program, academically talented and highly motivated students from eleven high schools attend CVGS and work and learn together, forming a network of friendships that otherwise would not exist.

CVGS  is one of 19 Virginia Governor's Schools serving over 6,500 gifted and talented students across the state, and for over 35 years our graduates have gone on to attend the best colleges and universities in the country.  After completing undergraduate studies, CVGS alumni have compiled amazing vitas detailing extensive contributions to their fields of study and their communities.

We are delighted that you are considering applying to CVGS.  Please read all the information on this page before accessing the application forms available through the links in the menu on the right of this page.  

Background Information 

Students apply for admission to the Governor's School in the winter of their sophomore year. Applications are reviewed by selection committees in each school division. The selection committees consider standardized test scores, academic achievement, and demonstrated interest in science and mathematics when evaluating and ranking student applications.  The tuition for students accepted into the program is paid to the Governor's School by the student's school division. CVGS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment.  

CVGS Learning Environment 

• The CVGS curriculum is designed for gifted and talented students.

• Teachers serve as mentors promoting student engagement and active learning. 

• Students enjoy more freedom and are responsible for their own learning and time management.

• Multidisciplinary connections between mathematics, science, and technology are explored.

• Students participate in sophisticated science laboratories, long-term assignments, independent research, and group work in both labs and on projects.

• All students are assigned an email account and a laptop computer preloaded with Windows, Microsoft Office, and the Adobe Creative Suite.

CVGS Quick Facts 

• CVGS is great college preparation due to the academic environment, research course, technology exposure, science laboratory experiences, and the internship program.

• CVGS serves about 150 students from the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and the city of Lynchburg.  

• CVGS sends out acceptance letters by March 31 of each year.

• New students attend four days of orientation, three in mid-June and one in mid-August.

• There is no tuition charge for parents; each school division covers the tuition costs for its students to attend the Governor's School, and the Virginia Department of Education Gifted Programs Office provides additional funding.

• CVGS operates during morning hours — students return to their base high schools for afternoon classes and extracurricular activities.

• Students attend CVGS for three periods every day during one of two sessions.  Session I is from 7:30 - 10:10 a.m. and Session II is from 8:25 - 11:05 a.m.

• The school divisions provide daily transportation to and from CVGS.

• Parents or students must provide transportation to internship locations on 12 Fridays in the spring.

• All Governor’s School classes are weighted courses for Grade Point Average calculations for home school transcripts.

• Students can earn up to 20 college credits for their CVGS classes.

How to Apply

1. Discuss the opportunity with your parents/guardians and guidance counselor.

2. Attend a CVGS Program Overview Night; this isn't required, but is recommended if you want to learn more about the program.  Two Program Overview Nights occur during January each year. Please consult the CVGS calendar on our website main page for the dates and times.

3. Fill out the application form available as a form-fill pdf document; Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to fill out the application.  When you are finished, save it and print out a hard copy to turn in to your guidance counselor by the due date at your school.  

4. Ask your guidance counselor to complete the student record form.

5. Ask three of your teachers (1 math teacher, 1 science teacher, and 1 other teacher ) to write recommendations for you using the recommendation form provided. You can save the form and email it to your teachers, or provide them with a link to this website. Of course, their computers must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to fill out the recommendation. Once completed, teachers should print out the recommendation and return it to your guidance counselor. If possible, your recommendations should come from teachers who taught you more recently rather than in middle school. 

As a final note, it is important to allow your guidance counselor and teachers enough time to complete their forms. Be sure the application, student record, and three recommendation forms are completed and in the hands of your guidance counselor by the application deadline.