The Tennessee Governor’s Schools, which take place at various campuses within the University of Tennessee system, are available to rising 11th- and 12th-grade students attending both private and public institutions across the state. Students must be nominated to attend the academically rigorous programs by faculty members who deem them talented, highly motivated, and mature. Admission to a Governor’s School is highly competitive, said officials.
Applications, faculty recommendations, and academic transcripts were due in January for the upcoming 2023 summer semester. Selection for the Governor’s School for the Arts also required an audition and/or portfolio review.
This year, seven GPS students were accepted to various programs:
Bella Durst ’24 | Governor's School of the Arts (held at MTSU)
Rin Nichols ’24 | Governor's School of the Arts (held at MTSU)
Sara Wright ’25 | Governor's School of the Arts (held at MTSU)
Ash Day ’24 | Governor's School for International Studies (held at University of Memphis)
Caiden Williams ’25 | Governor's School for Prospective Teachers (held at UTC)
Mabry Cook ’25 | Governor's School for Scientific Exploration and Tennessee Heritage (held at ETSU)
Zoe Byers ’24 | Governor's School for Scientific Exploration and Tennessee Heritage (held at ETSU)
Each of this summer’s programs runs for three to five weeks.
While on campus throughout their programs, students can attend concerts, plays, movies, and additional special events planned for nights and weekends, and they may participate in various campus activities, as well.
Each student who attends the Tennessee Governor’s Schools receives a certificate of merit signed by the governor, and multiple programs offer college credit upon completion.