Georgia Governor's Honors Program

The Georgia Governor's Honors Program is a summer educational program in the state of Georgia, in the United States. It is a four-week (formerly six-week prior to 2011) summer instructional program designed to provide the intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students of Georgia challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. Activities are designed to provide each participant with opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become independent, lifelong learners. Many GHP alumni have commented on the experience as unforgettable and one of the most amazing things they have ever participated in. There are several notable alumni.

Rising juniors and seniors in Georgia's public and private high schools may be nominated for the free program by their teachers. The program's entire cost is covered by the state of Georgia. It takes place at Valdosta State University.

Nomination

Students are nominated in a specific instructional area in which their abilities, aptitudes, and interest lie. Each school system or private school is assigned a nomination quota based on the average daily attendance of its 10th and 11th grades. However, some nomination categories do not count against the quota to encourage additional nominations. Nominees may go through a non-standardized local selection process in order to avoid exceeding their school systems' quotas.

Transcripts of grades and records, nomination forms, endorsements and other pertinent information are submitted to substantiate the nominations. Local nominees are then sent to statewide screening interviews/auditions.

The written evidence and data gathered in the student interview/audition are used to rank nominees and select finalists. A total of 690 finalists are selected. The number of students selected in each instructional area is roughly determined by the ratio of applicants in that area to the total number of applications received.

Instruction

Major instructional areas are communicative arts (English), Spanish, French, Latin, German, Mandarin Chinese, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, agricultural science and biotechnology, agricultural and environmental science, social studies, visual arts, theatre performance, theatre design, music, dance, design, technology, and executive management (business). Staff in four support areas (Counseling, Fitness, Computers, and Library/Media) also work to assist the student body.

Students may choose a minor from any of the majors (except for Biology, Physics and Chemistry, which are combined to the "Science" minor) or support areas except for Library/Media in the first week of the program. Additionally, students can choose a Journalism or Education minor. Some minors, called pre-selected minors, require auditions or interviews, and others have a lottery system for entry. Most minors however are chosen through a preference sheet after a series of information sessions.

Each student receives 4.5 hours of major subject time on Mondays to Saturdays and 2.5 hours of minor subject time on Mondays to Fridays. Other time is free for meals, performances, practice, or seminars (see below).

GHP instructors are among the most qualified high school and college teachers. They are chosen according to their experience and recommendations. The teacher to student ratio is mandated to be at or very close to 1:15.

Another popular pastime at GHP is the search for the legendary "GHP Book"; a book created at the inception of the program by students, and hidden somewhere in the VSU library. It is believed to contain mysterious wisdom from past GHPers.

Seminars

Residential Advisors and faculty host seminars outside of instructional time, ranging from learning Hebrew to making friendship bracelets

Alumni

The following are notable alumni of the Georgia Governor's Honors Program, listed with their GHP major, year of attendance, and notable accomplishments:

References

External links

• GHP summer program website
• Georgia Department of Education GHP webpage
• GHP Alumni Association