Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology, located in Roanoke, VA, is one of eight schools established by the Governor of Virginia to create special educational opportunities for students with aptitude and interest in science, mathematics and technology. The school utilizes the combined resources of the participating school divisions to provide programs which facilitate the acquisition of scientific and technical knowledge through laboratory investigation and research. Students, who apply for and are accepted to the Governor's School, attend half a day to take science, math, and research classes. The students acquire credit necessary for graduation from high school, and they earn college credit as well. Students take away the knowledge they have gained through texts, lectures, and labs. They also take away the knowledge they have acquired from "real world" experiences. These experiences include presentations by visiting scientists, a mentorship in the field of their choice, and various field research.
Students wishing to be considered for attendance at Roanoke Valley Governor's School must complete the application process. Completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and keyboarding proficiency are prerequesites. The program at Roanoke Valley Governor's School is rigorous and prospective students should be highly motivated, creative, and have a strong interest in academics.
Information on the Governor's School application process is available in the guidance office located in the Phelps Student Services building.
The following are photos from the 2016 Roanoke Valley Governor's School Project Forum:
Summer Residential Governor's School (SRGS) Current 10th and 11th grade students interested in applying for Summer Residential Governor's School programs should contact Mrs. Sheryl Bondurant in the FCHS Guidance Department by November 12, 2024. This application process is time sensitive and students should be mindful of the application process timeline and deadlines. Specific information regarding Summer Residential Governor's School programs and applications forms can be found on the Virginia Department of Education website.
Franklin County Public Schools' timeline for the Summer Residential Governor's School process is as follows:
October/November 2024: Summer Residential Governor's School advertised via: gifted website, FCHS morning announcements, and Franklin County Public Schools call out system to current 10th and 11th grade students.
November 12, 2024: Deadline for students interested in applying to Summer Residential Governor's School programs to notify Mrs. Sheryl Bondurant, FCHS Guidance Counselor.
December 4, 2024 - January 5, 2025: Online Virtual Adjudication Submission Window for students applying to Visual & Performing Arts Summer Residential Governor's School programs.
February 7, 2025: Completed Summer Residential Governor's School application due to Mrs. Sheryl Bondurant, FCHS Guidance Counselor.
February 18, 2025 School selection committee meets to rank submitted applications using rubric provided by Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
February 19-26, 2025: Students whose applications are not sent forward for state-level consideration are notified by Franklin County Public Schools via mail.
February 28, 2025: Summer Residential Governor's School applicant information sent to the VA Department of Education by Franklin County staff.
Mid-April, 2025: Student notifications sent directly to student’s home address, from VA Department of Education, indicating status of application
*For additional questions regarding the Summer Residential Governor's School process in Franklin County Public Schools, please contact Jodie Robinson, Gifted Coordinator at 540.483.5138 or [email protected]
Governor's World Language Academy (GWLA) Current 10th and 11th grade students interested in applying for Governor's World Language Academy programs should contact Ms. Rebekah Garrett ([email protected]) in the Franklin County High School Foreign Language Department by November 22, 2024. This application process is time sensitive and students should be mindful of the application process timeline and deadlines. Specific information regarding Governor's World Language Academy programs and applications can be found on the Virginia Department of Education website:
Franklin County Public Schools' timeline for the Governor's World Language Academy process is as follows:
October/November 2024: Governor's World Language Academy advertised via: gifted website, FCHS morning announcements, and Franklin County Public Schools call out system to current 10th and 11th grade students.
November 22, 2024: Students interested in applying to a Governor's World Language Academy need to give his/her name to Ms. Rebekah Garrett ([email protected]) to receive additional information about the process and deadlines.
December 6, 2024: Deadline for students interested in GFLA to register in the Survey Monkey Apply portal and complete stips 1-9 on the Student Application Planning form in the Guide for Students and Parents. Applicants should list Jodie Robinson ([email protected]) as the principal/division designee as listed on the student application planning form.
December 18, 2024: Deadline for FCHS staff members to submit completed recommendations in Survey Monkey portal.
December 18, 2024 –School selection committee meets to determine which applicants move forward using the evaluation criteria provided by the Virginia Department of Education.
December 19-20, 2024: Students notified of online foreign language testing date and time by Ms. Garrett.
January 21 & 22, 2025: Student applicants recommended by the selection committee will complete online testing during the school day at FCHS. Ms. Garrett will notify students of the testing time and location.
Practice tests are available online:
https://avantassessment.com/sample-tests#PLACE_Sample (French and Spanish)
https://avantassessment.com/place/test-taker-and-technology-guide (French and Spanish)
https://www.languagetesting.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/ALIRA_Sample_Test.pdf (Latin)
January 28-29, 2025: Snow date for testing
January 31, 2025: Governor’s World Language Academy applicant information sent to the VA Department of Education by Franklin County staff.
Mid-April, 2025: Student notifications sent directly to students from VA Department of Education, indicating status of application
*For additional questions regarding the Governor's Foreign Language Academy process in Franklin County Public Schools, please contact Jodie Robinson, Gifted Coordinator at 540.483.5138 or [email protected]
Piedmont Regional Governor's School, located in Chatham, Va is held the last two weeks of June and is sponsored by the Virginia State Department of Education. It is available for students in grades 4-7 and offers a variety of classes suitable for identified gifted students. The combination of small classes and an excellent teaching faculty provides students with an atmosphere that is ideal for learning. Teaching strategies and techniques employed by these highly trained faculty members offer students the opportunity to participate in learning experiences that include investigative research, creative thinking and problem-solving and product-oriented activities. The drama class presents a musical production as the culminating event for their two week experience. In order to apply for admission to the Piedmont Regional Governor's School, identified gifted students must complete an application which is given to them at their school. The completed form should be returned to the Gifted Program Coordinator or Instructional Coach as noted. Data is collected for all applicants. Students with the highest number of points will be accepted.
Virginia Tech Black College Institute
 |
|
 |
The Black College Institute (BCI) is an academic summer enrichment program by Virginia Tech. It hosts talented, high-achieving and intellectually curious rising high school juniors and rising seniors. For 2023, the program will be held in-person.
While this program is designed to attract underrepresented and/or first-generation students, we welcome the participation of any student who has a potential interest in Virginia Tech. The program activities are planned using a multicultural perspective though special emphasis is placed on the African-American identity.
Save the dates for BCI 2025:
Session 1 for Seniors: June 16 - 19
Session 2 for Seniors: June 23 - 26
Session 3 for Juniors: June 30 - July 3
All programs are FREE of cost to students!
*Students must arrange their own transportation to and from the Virginia Tech, Blacksburg campus.*
Applications are available in December
Benefits of attending BCI:
- Student engagement with various academic disciplines through hands-on learning and workshops within the context of the African-American cultural experience.
- College life experiences of residential living, campus dining, collaborative projects in university classrooms and engagement with Virginia Tech’s faculty, staff, and students.
- Daily workshops on (1) navigating and completing the college application process and (2) applying for scholarships and financial aid.
- Students embrace the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) by completing a service learning project with university and local partnerships.
- Explore Virginia Tech departments and organizations to build lasting connections and learn about local resources available to them.
- Learn about local resources available to them.
- Engage in fun team building activities in our cultural, recreational, and student centers.
Virginia Tech Partners Participating:
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Pamplin College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, College of Natural Resources and Environment, College of Science, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and other campus departments and local organizations.
|
|
|
VA Junior Academy of Science
The 2022 Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Research Symposium will be held on May 13-14, 2022,in a virtual format with the support of The College of William and Mary. VJAS, a state chapter of the American Academy of Science, is dedicated to the advancement of science by discovering and encouraging scientific aptitude among Virginia’s middle and high school students. VJAS has been ranked among the top three Junior Academies in the nation for nearly three decades and serves over 40,000 students per year.
In developing science research to present at the Academy, students learn how to conduct research, draw conclusions, and make public presentations. All student science research receives feedback from experienced scientists and science educators. Students who present at the Research Symposium have an opportunity for publishing their science research and receive awards and scholarships.
The deadline for submitting papers for this year’s Symposium is March 2, 2022. VJAS continues to be an outstanding example of how mathematics and science programs around the Commonwealth are using different teaching and learning resources to improve student achievement of the state’s learning standards. Relating science, mathematics, and engineering concepts to practical applications, first-hand experiences, and systematic research have proven to be a formula for student success across the STEM disciplines.
For more information, including the VJAS Handbook and how students can become involved in the VJAS, please visit http://www.vjas.org
GATEWAY Summer Enrichment Camp
Summer Enrichment Camp is held the last two weeks of June and is sponsored by the Franklin County Public Schools Gifted department. Students in grades 3-5 spend a week immersed in a theme based setting that focuses on activities grounded in the arts, technology and research. Our theme for 2024 was "GATEWAY Explores the Universe." 2025 Summer Enrichment Camp will be held June 23-26. Invitations will be sent home with students in early May. View our summer camp photo gallery here.
Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to attend day trips which focus on History, Music, Science, Technology, The Arts, and working together as a team. Click here to see a sample itinerary from the June 2013 Middle School Enrichment Camp experience. 2025 Middle School camp will be held June 16-18. Invitations will be sent home with students in early May. Check out all the fun we have had over the past few years by clicking here.
Franklin County Public Schools Chess for Kids Program
The Franklin County Gifted Program sponsors a Chess for Kids Tournament each year. Over 200 students from all 10 elementary schools in Franklin County participate in the tournament annually.
Participants in the tournament play three matches at the beginner and intermediate levels. Players in the advanced level play four matches. Students who win three matches are awarded a chess medal during the awards ceremony that follows match play. Each chess player receives a Certificate of Participation. School teams are awarded trophies at both the beginner and intermediate levels based on a score generated by the number of wins for the team and the number of players on the team. Advanced level participants compete on an individual basis. The 2024 Chess for Kids Tournament will be held on Friday, November 15th at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Match play began at 3:00 p.m. with an awards ceremony following at 6:00 p.m. Photos of the 2012 Elementary chess winners are listed below.
Individual Medal Winners:
|
|
|
| Beginner |
Intermediate |
Advanced |
Beginner Level Team Winners:
|
|
|
| 1st Place - Burnt Chimney |
2nd Place - Windy Gap |
3rd Place - Callaway |
Intermediate Level Team Winners:
|
|
|
| 1st Place - Callaway |
2nd Place - Snow Creek |
3rd Place - Windy Gap (Tie) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 3rd Place - Burnt Chimney (Tie) |
|
|
GATEWAY Game Night
Come join the fun and spend the evening playing a variety of games that will engage your brain. Compete against GATEWAY peers from across the county - a fun, enriching way to make new friends.
Upcoming Events:
Elementary Game Night*: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Rocky Mount Elementary School.
Click here to view photos from previous game nights.
Middle School Game Event*: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 2:50-4:30 in the Media Center at Benjamin Franklin Middle School East Hall.
*Signed parent permission slip required for attendance. Permission form invites are sent home with students at the school level.
Franklin County Public Schools Spelling Bee
Franklin County Public Schools’ annual Spelling Bee is sponsored by the Roanoke Times and the GATEWAY program. This is the culmination of school spelling bee competitions from throughout the division. Schools with grades 5-8 are eligible to compete in the spelling bee. This bee is an educational program sponsored by Scripps Howard newspapers and local school divisions across America. It is designed to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English. The 2025 Franklin County Public Schools Spelling Bee will be held, February 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the Franklin County High School Auditorium. Families and community members are invited to attend this event. An awards ceremony will follow the completion of the spelling bee.