The Commonwealth Governors School Parent Information Session - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Commonwealth Governor’s School

Parent Information Session Stafford County Public Schools December 3, 2018

Overview

• Established in 1998
• School within a school

model

• Half day program at 3

different sites within Stafford County focused on core content areas (mathematics, science, English, social studies)

• Colonial Forge HS
• Serves Colonial Forge HS
• Serves Brooke Point HS (10th-

12th)*

• Stafford HS
• Serves Stafford HS
• Serves Brooke Point HS (9th)*
• North Stafford HS
• Serves North Stafford HS
• Serves Mountain View HS

Overview (continued)

• Interdisciplinary

approach to learning

• Focused on helping

students see the connections between content areas and learning big picture concepts

• Access to real-world,

relevant learning experiences in all content areas

Eligibility

• Gifted or high-

achieving students AND highly motivated learners

• Students in grades 9-

12

• Must successfully

complete Algebra I by the end of the spring in 8th grade to be eligible to apply

Field Experiences

• 8 field experiences

per grade level; 2 per subject area

Culminating Project

• Research project
• Focused on student’s

personal interest

• Receive an elective

credit at the conclusion of 12th grade

• Opportunity to work

with an expert in selected field of research

CGS Mathematics

• Honors Algebra II
• Honors Geometry
• Honors Math

Analysis

• AP Calculus BC
• AP Statistics
• Students will

complete 4 of these 5 courses.

CGS Science

• AP Environmental

Science

• AP Biology
• DE Chemistry
• AP Physics 1

CGS English

• Honors English 9
• Honors English 10
• AP Language &

Composition

• AP Literature &

Composition

CGS Social Studies

• AP European History
• AP Government
• AP U.S. History
• AP Human

Geography

College Credits

• 12 Advanced

Placement Courses

• If testing in all courses

and earning a minimum passing score of a 3, students can earn a minimum of 36 college credits

• 1 Dual Enrolled Course
• 4 college credits in

Chemistry 101 & 101 Lab

Extracurricular Involvement

Student Selection

• Application Process

Overview

• Academic

achievement profile & ability test scores

• Teacher

recommendations

• Interview
• Portfolio presentation
• Honors/accolades

Application Components

Recommendations Academic Information Student Assessments Student Interview & Portfolio Honors / Accolades

Honors / Accolades

• Applicants may list up to 5 awarded honors
• Honors include the level of competition (i.e. school, local,

regional, state/highly competitive)

• Sample Honors/Recognitions:
• Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance Award, Student of the Month
• Straight A Honor Roll
• Regional Science Fair Winner
• District Spelling Bee Winner
• Johns Hopkins Talent Search - above 95th percentile
• Athletic Awards
• Music or Theatrical Awards
• Leadership Roles

Portfolio & Interview

• The interview and portfolio review are conducted in

INDIVIDUAL student sessions.

• The portfolio items and interview are scored using separate

rubrics.

• The 3 portfolio samples must be from the last 3 years (6th, 7th,
• r 8th Grade).
• Ensure that at least one sample includes evidence of cited

research to support your work.

• At least one piece should NOT be a school assignment.
• At least one piece should show problem solving.

Portfolio & Interview (continued)

• When it is time to select portfolio items, select TOP work

samples!

• It is easier to talk about the samples if you feel passionate

about the work you completed.

• Sample Portfolio Items:
• School projects - science fair, research projects, book reports
• Service projects - clubs, church organizations, scouting
• Personal interest projects - special talents, musical pieces,

theatrical performances, athletic highlights

• Original stories, poems, artwork

Application Evaluation

Category Maximum Total Points Academic Information

• Includes Ability Measure,

Achievement Measure 1 (Reading Comprehension), Achievement Measure 2 (Math), & the Grade Point Average 80 Recommendations

• English Teacher, Math Teacher,

Teacher/Mentor 36 Honors / Accolades

• May include up to 5 awarded

honors 15 Portfolio & Interview

• Includes 3 work samples
• Panel interview

30 - Portfolio 24 - Interview Grand Total 185

Application Process Timeline

• Parent Information Night – December 3
• CGS site visits – December & January
• Application opens – January 3
• Application/Portfolio Support Night – January 8

from 6:30-7:30pm at Stafford Middle School

• Application closes – January 31
• Complete the online application and return a signed copy of the

electronic confirmation email to the Gifted Resource Teacher at your school no later than January 31.

• Where to turn it in:

 Gifted Resource Teacher at your school  Stafford County Supervisor of Gifted and Accelerated Programs for out-of-county, private, or home-schooled students

Application Process Timeline (continued)

• Testing Window – February 2019
• PSAT 8 Scores from November/December are included in this

category.

• The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to any

student who has not completed one in the past 12 months.

• Interview Window – February 2019
• Acceptance Notification – March
• Date to Confirm Acceptance Deadline – March

Best Wishes & Good Luck!

• Jennifer Grigsby
• Director of The Commonwealth Governor’s School
• jgrigsby@cgs.k12.va.us
• 540-548-1278 Extension 2
• Dr. Stephenie Fellinger
• Stafford County Teaching & Learning Facilitator for K-12 Gifted

Education and Secondary Programs

• fellingersl@staffordschools.net
• 540-658-6000

For more information, please visit, www.cgs.k12.va.us