Female student using laptop

Governor's School

The Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology (CVGS) was first opened in 1985 as one of the five original academic-year Governor's Schools.

The mission of the Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology, a dynamic educational community exploring the connections among mathematics, science and technology, is to develop leaders who possess the research and technical skills, the global perspective, and the vision needed to address the challenges of a rapidly changing society.
Quick Facts
  • Five school divisions send students to CVGS.
  • CVGS students come from ten different high schools.
  • Student selection is conducted by a selection committee in each school division.
  • Tuition for each student is paid by the sending school division.
  • Local school divisions provide daily transportation for CVGS students.
  • CVGS class begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 11:05 a.m.—students return to their home schools for afternoon classes and extracurricular activities.
  • CVGS is open for students on six Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon so students can complete work and obtain extra help throughout the year.
  • New juniors attend a four day orientation before they start school in the fall.
  • Governor's School classes are Grade Point Average-weighted courses (5.0 for an "A") for home school transcripts.
  • Dual-enrollment classes are taught by CVGS faculty with college credit granted through Central Virginia Community College.
  • CVGS prepares students for college by providing an environment that supports individual and team responsibility, academic maturity, a sound and comprehensive research experience, exposure to established and emerging technologies, and a 36 hour internship program.
Admission Criteria
  • This is a highly selective program.
  • The selection committee considers standardized test scores (PSAT/NMSQT scores), academic achievement, and demonstrated interest in science and mathematics when evaluating and ranking student applications.
  • Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Advanced Geometry/Trigonometry and Advanced Chemistry.