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, and originally eight-week) 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.
Contents
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. The Governor's Honors Program began in 1964 with 400 participants and was hosted at Wesleyan College. It took place at Valdosta State University from 1980 through 2016 (sometimes cohosted at North Georgia College in Dahlonega), but will be relocated in 2017 to Berry College in Rome, Georgia.
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. Transcripts of grades and records, nomination forms, endorsements and other pertinent information are submitted to substantiate the nominations. Selected nominees then submit written essays and/or videos of their work. Each district or county has a different nomination process. From there, selected applicants are 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.
The overall acceptance rate of the program is around 3%
Instruction
Major instructional areas are communicative arts (English), Spanish, French, Latin, German, Mandarin Chinese, mathematics, science, agricultural science, social studies, visual arts, theatre performance, theatre design, music (woodwinds, piano, brass, strings, vocal, and percussion), dance, design, and engineering (design, mechanical, and software). Staff in four support areas (Counseling, Fitness, Computers, and Library/Media) also work to assist the student body.
Students may choose an elective in the first week of the program. The electives are commonly known as minors and include all the major areas of study along with Journalism, Counseling, Education, and Ballroom dancing.
Each student receives 4.5 hours of major subject time on Mondays to Saturdays and 2.5 hours of elective subject time on Mondays to Fridays. Other time is free for meals, research, 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 Odum 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: