GHS Frequently Asked Questions

The brightest and most talented 10th and 11th graders currently enrolled in Tennessee's public and private high schools, students who will be juniors and seniors in the 2023 - 2024 academic year. To be eligible, students should rank in the top of their high school class in performance/capability. Governor’s School is a special summer program for the gifted and talented - for the best students in Tennessee.

Students who are accepted will receive a full scholarship for program expenses. The only expenses students will have to pay for is their transportation to and from the campus and personal items. Everything else - dorms, tuition, meals, special trips, lectures, and labs - will be provided. The program is funded by the Department of Education through funds appropriated by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. If transportation is a financial problem, please contact the Governor’s School for the Humanities office.

Applications must be postmarked no later than January 5, 2024. Guidance counselors may set an earlier deadline for materials to be returned to them so they have time to complete and mail by our deadline. Guidance Counselors should send all application materials directly to the school(s) to the Governor’s School for the Humanities office. Applications received directly by students will not be considered.

Committees, appointed by the director in consultation with the state Department of Education, selects the students who will attend each school. The selection committee reviews each student's application material, transcripts, personal data sheets, and recommendations - looking for the most exceptional students in Tennessee. The committee will also select a number of alternates for each school.

Yes. However, since the dates of the programs overlap, students accepted for more than one school will have to decide which program they would like to attend.

No. Students need to make sure they are going to attend before they accept.

Each school to which students have been invited needs to be notified whether or not the student plans to accept. Since there are only a small number of total spaces available, the invitations that are not accepted will then be offered to applicants on alternate lists. Your cooperation here is greatly needed and is very much appreciated.

No. Any student who has previously attended a Tennessee Governor's School will not be accepted. No-shows and/or drop-outs from the previous year (without prior approval) will also not be allowed to reapply.

There will be many of them – optional field trips, service projects, movies, and special events scheduled for after hours and on the weekends. Students will also be free to take part in any of the activities on campus - sports, running, etc. Bring tennis racquets and basketball shoes!

Writers, language experts, historians, philosophers, artists, expert musicians, distinguished professors, and career level teachers - the best in their fields.

All Governor's School students will be given the opportunity to earn three (3) hours of university credit upon successful completion of their enrolled courses. Students who successfully complete the program will also be awarded a certificate of merit signed by the Governor.

Insofar as it is logistically feasible, every effort will be made to ensure students will be able to attend religious services on Sunday mornings if they so desire. Advance written permission from parents/guardians is required.

Yes. Since the deadline for the return of the applications may be before the semester grades are distributed, schools should provide the most recent grades available.

Students with this situation may obtain a reference from a reputable person, such as an employer or community leader, who can identify the applicant as talented, highly motivated, mature, and a high achiever.

Yes, if they meet the criteria.

Yes! The program is intensive and highly individualized. Classes and special activities will be planned for the entire four weeks, INCLUDING WEEKENDS. Absences from scheduled activities will not be permitted except in the case of emergencies or religious activities, with permission from the director. Students will not be excused to attend other camps or seminars, to take family vacations, attend weddings, have senior pictures taken, etc. Come prepared to stay, study, and have fun!

Fifty (50) of Tennessee’s brightest and most talented students will be selected to attend the Governor’s School for the Humanities.

Notifications will be sent to all students on March 1. Students will receive separate notification letters from each of the schools to which they applied.

By the second or third week in April, a list of all students accepted at that point will be submitted to the Department of Education for mailing to public and private school Guidance Counselors.

Yes, but we don't encourage drop-ins. Call the Governor's School office ahead of time to make arrangements.

Indicate the type of test taken and the anticipated date of receipt. Include any available standardized test scores on the Test Data Form.

Cell phones may be brought but are not permitted in classes or other programs.

The recommendations from teachers are very important. For instance, if two applications are otherwise given the same rating, what the teachers have said may result in a higher score. Extra-Curricular and service activities are also important.

Yes, no personally identifiable information will be released.