governorsschooloverv iew

Please Note•: 

Please Note• For those students and parents who were present at the January 19 meeting or who have previously viewed this slide show, there are two significant changes that resulted from the Planning Committee meeting held on January 31. These changes benefit MVGS students in two ways. ~   The MVGS English: The Power of Thought humanities course will replace English 11 instead of English 12. This modification eliminates the need for Mountain Vista students to take two English courses in 11th grade and also provides the opportunity for the students to take the AP Language and Composition exam in lieu of the SOL English test. This change also provides a better balance in relieving the MVGS student’s home-based high school course load by one course in grade 11 (SOL English) and one course in grade 12 (Government). ~ Math Analysis will no longer be required as a 2006-2007 prerequisite and will be offered at MVGS for those students who have not had the opportunity to take this course at their home-based high school prior to the fall of 2006.

Brief Description Of Program: 

Brief Description Of Program Population Served: Identified* gifted students in grades 9-12 (*Those MVGS students not previously identified as G&T will receive that designation through the application and acceptance process.) Grade Levels: 9 – 12 (beginning with 11th and 12th grades in August 2006 and phasing in 10th and then 9th in succeeding years) Site Location: Lord Fairfax Community College (both campuses) Middletown Campus: Warren, Clarke, Frederick, & Winchester (66 students) Warrenton Campus: Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier (49 students) Approximately 6 classrooms at each site; access to science, computer, and distance learning labs, a resource ctr. with college-level reading/research materials, and a special events venue that can accommodate 300 people Shenandoah University will provide a venue for extended lab experiences and faculty expertise. In the future, SU might provide summer enrichment opportunities and classroom space.

Brief Description Of Program: 

Brief Description Of Program General Curriculum Design: Science, Mathematics, and Technology, with a humanities curriculum and research component Instructional Day: 4.5 hours: 7:30 to 11:00 AM on-campus and web-communication for an additional hour A minimum of 4 – 4.5 hours is required in order to receive the maximum amount of state funding, thereby reducing the costs for each local school division. Projected Opening Date: August 2006

Mission Statement: 

Mission Statement The mission of Mountain Vista Governor’s School is to present a research-based, technology-enhanced, integrated program in mathematics, science, and the humanities. The program will challenge students to reach their full potential as independent thinkers capable of assuming leadership roles in a constantly changing global society.

Mountain Vista Governor’s School Proposal Receives High Praise: 

Mountain Vista Governor’s School Proposal Receives High Praise After carefully reviewing our entire proposal, the Virginia Board of Education praised the quality of the proposal and stated that, as indicated by our curriculum frameworks and integrated approach to learning, the MVGS will be a model for all Governor’s Schools.

Rationale: 

Rationale The enhancement of regional accelerated services for gifted students transcends what can be offered in existing high schools. Academically gifted high school students need opportunities to study in a supportive, collaborative community of academic peers. The Governor’s school academic program will afford students the opportunity to be academically competitive with students across the state and country when applying to colleges and universities.

National Academy of Sciences Blue-Ribbon Panel Report: 

National Academy of Sciences Blue-Ribbon Panel Report “The United States is today a net importer of high-technology products. Its share of global high-technology exports has fallen in the last two decades from 30 (%) to 17 (%), and its trade balance in high-technology manufactured goods shifted from plus $33 billion in 1990 to a negative $24 billion in 2004.”

The Need for Scientists and Mathematicians: 

The Need for Scientists and Mathematicians Congressman Frank Wolf: “In 2001, U.S. industry spent more money on litigation than on research and development.” Bright students “haven’t been challenged in some respects and a lot of them are becoming lawyers. We don’t need any more lawyers. We need scientists. We need mathematicians.”

Slide10: 

Engaging students in scholarly investigations to become fluent in the integrated processes of mathematics and science, reinforced by a deep understanding of the humanities Involving students in research and extended learning through a discovery approach patterned after activities of scholars and professionals - It is the intent of MVGS to develop partnerships and internships with businesses, institutions of higher learning, and research-based institutions so that MVGS students will be able to engage in authentic research under the guidance of professionals. Preparing self-reliant, critical thinkers who excel at advanced levels How Will Mountain Vista Governor’s School Be Different from The Regular High School?

Interdisciplinary Connectivity: 

Interdisciplinary Connectivity Scientific and mathematical knowledge will be examined in historical and cultural contexts. Mathematics courses and science courses will be taught collaboratively. Students will be challenged to see how the process of science and the knowledge gained through science impacts the cultures and politics of the world. Students will analyze and critique scientific thought against the background of Western philosophy, literature, and the arts.

Interdisciplinary Connectivity: 

Interdisciplinary Connectivity In traditional high schools, subjects are taught in isolation. The student is not usually given the opportunity to make connections and see relationships among what is learned in the science classroom versus the English, Math, or Social Studies classroom. When students perceive the interconnectedness of ideas, their understanding is enhanced and they are better equipped to synthesize information and apply it to new situations.

Technology Integration: 

Technology Integration Computer-aided, data-collecting probes and sensors Graphing software to manipulate and analyze data Internet resources for background research Distance Learning - Each campus is equipped with three V-Con distance learning classrooms that will enable real-time, two-way interaction among teachers and students at the sites. Technology driven instruction and student application in the development of presentations on research findings Web-communication systems - Web-communication will allow teachers to reinforce learning activities, provide student support and review of concepts/skills, extend learning activities, and provide students with instruction when weather conditions, varying division schedules, or illness prevents a student from attending MVGS.

Benefits of Attending Mountain Vista Governor’s School: 

Benefits of Attending Mountain Vista Governor’s School AP weighting for all MVGS courses Preparation for several AP exams The possibility of 40 dual enrollment credits over a two-year period Opportunity to take afternoon courses in the home high school and participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities - Knowing that MVGS students will not have the time to take all of their desired electives in the home-based high schools, we have designated the MVGS English: The Power of Thought course as a replacement for English 11 and the MVGS Government: Applying the Power of Persuasion to World Issues as a replacement for the senior government requirement.

Benefits of Attending Mountain Vista Governor’s School: 

Benefits of Attending Mountain Vista Governor’s School High School Diploma with a Governor’s School seal. College Acceptance - the rigor of the academic program exceeds that of the traditional high school. An accelerated learning curve that will better prepare students to be successful in college

Subject Integration and  Two-Year Dual Enrollment Program: 

Subject Integration and Two-Year Dual Enrollment Program Junior Year MVGS Calculus I: Applied or MVGS Calculus II: Engineering or Math Analysis MVGS Physics I: Analytical, Mechanics Focus MVGS English/Humanities: The Power of Thought MVGS Research I: Fundamentals Senior Year MVGS Multivariable Calculus or MVGS Statistics with Discrete Topics MVGS Advanced Biology II with Environmental Focus or MVGS Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism Focus MVGS Government/Humanities: Applying the Power of Persuasion to World Issues MVGS Research II: Application

MVGS Schedule: 

MVGS Schedule Four days of regular classes Two 75-minute class periods on each regular day The fifth day is a FLEX day that will be dedicated to Labs, Field Experiences, Guest Speakers, and Workshops.

Advanced Placement Considerations: 

Advanced Placement Considerations MVGS students will be prepared to sit for the following AP exams:  Physics C Mechanics  Physics C Electricity and Magnetism  Environmental Science  Calculus AB or BC  Statistics  English Language and Composition  Comparative Government  Biology All MVGS courses will be assigned an AP weighting for Warren County students.

Practical Concerns: 

Practical Concerns Cost – There will be no expense for the student, other than the current Warren County student contribution toward dual enrollment course costs. Transportation – Warren County will provide transportation for students who do not wish to drive to LFCC.

Student Selection: 

Student Selection Criteria for Eligibility to Attend MVGS: The student is enrolled in a public high school in one of the seven participating divisions. The student will have satisfactorily completed all math and science prerequisites prior to the fall semester.  Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry * (* For pioneering juniors, Chemistry may be taken at the home high school during the first year at MVGS or in summer school prior to enrollment at MVGS)  Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry

Student Selection: 

Student Selection The Selection Committee (comprised of the Gifted and Talented Coordinator, one guidance counselor, one math teacher, one science teacher, and at least one administrator) at the local division level will identify and rank the applicants to be invited to attend the Governor’s School. Fifteen students from Warren County will attend MVGS in the fall of 2006.

Application Packet: 

Application Packet TABLE OF CONTENTS Mountain Vista Governor’s School Look-at-a-Glance Student Application Checklist Student Application Extra-Curricular Activities Essay Three Recommendation Forms (to be given to teachers) Student Profile (to be given to applicant’s guidance counselor) Permission for Enrollment Form A timed-write will also be required.

Application Packet: 

Application Packet The student is responsible for ensuring that all application materials are completed and submitted to his/her guidance counselor NO LATER THAN March 1, 2006.

Application Timeline: 

Application Timeline March 1 – A completed application packet must be submitted to the guidance counselor. March 21– Timed Write is administered. April 19 – Letters of acceptance/non-acceptance are mailed. Those students who are being invited to attend MVGS will receive a Permission for Enrollment form. May 3 - Students must submit the Permission for Enrollment form by this date.