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Pre-Governor's School

Pre-Governor's School

The Pre-Governor’s School is a preparatory program for students to experience an accelerated mathematics and science course sequence. Students will be able to develop technical writing capacity and meet several graduation requirements to prepare them for success should they attend The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park (GS@IP) in grades 11 and 12.

Application Information

Specialty program applications will be accepted November 3, 2025-February 1, 2026.

Visit the Specialty Programs Application Process website to learn more about the application process.

Who can apply?

Applications for this program are open for rising 9th grade students who attend one of the following schools:

  • Battlefield HS
  • Brentsville District HS
  • Colgan HS
  • Gainesville HS
  • Osbourn Park HS
  • Patriot HS
  • Unity Reed HS

Learn More About the Pre-Governor's School Program

Program Information

Transfer Program

Students participating in this program will transfer to the program location for all courses and activities.

Express bus transportation is available to accepted students living outside the program location boundaries through Specialty Program Transportation.

School-Based Information

View information session details and contact information for the Specialty Programs Coordinator. 

Course Catalog

View additional information about the  Pre-Governor's School program in the PWCS course catalog.

Specialty Programs

Visit the high school specialty programs website to learn more about specialty programs in PWCS.

Pre-Governor's School at OPHS

Program Prerequisites

  1. Students must currently be enrolled in Algebra 1 (or higher).
  2. No grade below a B in language arts, math, science, and social studies.
  3. Students must be in good discipline standing – no discipline record in the past 12 months for fighting, vapes, disrespect / classroom disruption, vandalism. No discipline record ever of assault / battery, sexual assault or harassment, arson, weapons, or drugs / alcohol.

Application Information

Applying to the Pre-Governor's School program at OPHS is a multi-step process.

  1. Visit the Specialty Program Application Process website to begin the application process.
  2. Make sure to select Pre-Governors School at OPHS as your first-choice program if you want to be considered for selection. Second choice applications will also be considered if they meet application requirements, although students will only be offered a seat in one specialty program
  3. Students must submit a complete application packet through the PWCS Specialty Program Application.

Application Packet Information

The application packet will include the following components:

  • Completed specialty program application

    • In order to be considered for the program, Pre-Governors School program selected as the student's first or second choice program. *Remember that students will only be offered one seat in one specialty program. Pre-Governors School should be listed as a student's first choice when possible.

  • Student Essay
    • Students, please make sure to read through the rubric provided so that you understand what the evaluation panel will be looking for when reading your short essay
    • Essay Rubric
      • 3-Point Response
        • A detailed account of research or independent study is provided. Indication of self-directed study is evident along with some originality of approach.
        • The student identifies several valuable learning outcomes from the activity and is able to relate them to the study of science and math.
        • Capacity to use scientific or engineering processes is evident with great autonomy and/or significant levels of initiative have been demonstrated in the pursuit of this study.
      • 2-Point Response
        • Involvement in additional scientific study or experimentation is clearly evident. The student identifies at least one valuable learning outcome from the activity. The student shows capacity to transfer learning to new settings.
        • Capacity to use scientific or engineering processes is evident with some degree of autonomy.
      • 1-Point Response
        • Some involvement in research/independent study described. Experience is either limited in relevance or scope, or no reflection of value was provided.
        • Student has an interest in additional scientific study. However, it is hard to determine the level of involvement and the level of independent study undertaken.
    • The essay should be no longer than one-page typed
  • Two teacher recommendation forms.
    • These forms must be from your current math and science teachers.
    • You will enter your teacher's email addresses into the application and the recommendation form will be emailed to them.
    •  Applications will only be considered if there are recommendations from your current math and current science teachers.

Announcements

Check back for updates and new information

Information Meetings

Date: November 6, 2025

When: 6:00 pm

Where: Osbourn Park High School 

 

Date: January 13, 2026 at

When: 6:00 pm

Where: Osbourn Park High School