The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) is now accepting applications for its residential and virtual programs. Online applications are available at www.scgssm.org.
GSSM is South Carolina’s only two-year, public, residential high school dedicated to the advanced study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. GSSM also offers courses in economics and the humanities. 90 percent of the faculty hold PhDs. Juniors and seniors come to the GSSM campus in Hartsville, from across the state to participate in the program. The residential program’s academic experience is enhanced by state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, creative classroom experiences, and independent study options. Students enjoy college- and graduate-level classes and mentored scientific or economics research in the summer between the junior and senior year.
Living and learning together creates a community of engaged, like-minded scholars. GSSM residential students live in a suite-style dormitory that operates on a house system. Nearly 70 percent of students play varsity sports. GSSM has a total of 16 varsity teams and numerous state championships. There are also a myriad clubs and organizations for students, along with opportunities to engage with the Hartsville community through service projects.
GSSM residential applicants should be current South Carolina residents, high school sophomores (inquire about exceptions), and have at least 10.5 high school credits prior to the end of the 2019-2020 school year, including Geometry, Algebra I and II, English I and II, a social studies course, and a lab science course.
In addition to the residential school, GSSM offers two virtual engineering programs in partnership with school districts. Accelerate provides students with coursework, learning experiences, and team-building activities that expose them to areas of study within various engineering fields. Most classes allow students to earn college credit through dual enrollment, and most Accelerate graduates enter college with up to 49 credit hours. TEAM UP introduces students to various fields of engineering and enables them to understand the engineering design process and acquire STEM content knowledge. Successful completion of TEAM UP leaves students prepared to study engineering in an undergraduate program.
Accelerate and TEAM UP classes are live and presented virtually through computer and audio/visual equipment, allowing students to remain in their home high schools.
Accelerate and TEAM UP applicants should be current South Carolina residents, enrolled in 9th grade, and attend high school in one of GSSM’s participating partner districts. In addition, applicants should anticipate successfully completing Algebra II Honors by the end of 9th grade.
The application deadline for GSSM’s residential and virtual programs is February 1, at 11:59 pm.
“We welcome your interest in applying to the best STEM school in South Carolina and one of the best in the nation,” said Dr. Ershela Sims, interim GSSM President. “We are honored to serve an outstanding group of talented students from around the state of South Carolina.”
For more information about GSSM’s programs, visit www.scgssm.org or contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or 843-383-3901 x 3963.
