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 (10 th - 12 th )* • Stafford HS • Serves Stafford HS • Serves Brooke Point HS (9 th )* • North Stafford HS • Serves North Stafford HS • Serves Mountain View HS * Tentative Plan for Brooke Point HS students for 2019-2020 and beyond; decision has not been finalized by Stafford County Public Schools
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 8 th 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 12 th 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 Student Recommendations Interview & Portfolio Academic Information Honors / Student Accolades Assessments
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 95 th 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 (6 th , 7 th , or 8 th 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 80 • Includes Ability Measure, Achievement Measure 1 (Reading Comprehension), Achievement Measure 2 (Math), & the Grade Point Average Recommendations 36 • English Teacher, Math Teacher, Teacher/Mentor Honors / Accolades 15 • May include up to 5 awarded honors Portfolio & Interview 30 - Portfolio • Includes 3 work samples 24 - Interview • Panel 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
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