The Piedmont Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology opened for the first time during the 2002-2003 school year, enrolling a minimum of 140 11th and 12th grade students who are academically gifted, highly motivated, and high achieving.

Partnerships with Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville and Danville Community College in Danville allow the Governor’s School to have two sites, and to serve students from high schools in Henry County, Martinsville City, Patrick County, Danville City and Pittsylvania County. The community colleges are providing classrooms, science labs, computer labs, and office space. Students spend half the school day at the Governor’s School, and half at their home school.

The focus of the Piedmont Governor's School will be mathematics and science with technology being utilized to support and enhance the curriculum. The school will provide a special alternative opportunity for motivated secondary students who want to become part of an exciting and challenging program of studies in mathematics and science. Collaboration with local community colleges will provide students with dual enrollment credit. Regional universities will be called upon to enrich instruction opportunities, as well.

PGSMST students attend one of two regional sites located on the campuses of Danville Community College and Patrick Henry Community College. Danville City and Pittsylvania students travel to Danville Community College, while students from Henry County, Martinsville City, and Patrick County travel to Patrick Henry Community College. Partnerships between institutions of higher education, businesses, and the PGSMST ensure ongoing participation for problem-solving, application learning outside the regular classroom.

The students attend their site for a morning 1/2 day session. Classes are on a 2X2 alternating block schedule with each class meeting for 90 minutes. Seniors are required to serve a mentorship which requires a commitment of time outside of the regularly scheduled class time. Specially trained teachers are assigned to each classroom and deliver differentiated instruction designed to foster creativity and incorporate students' individual learning styles. Students and teachers at each site have access to technology applications such as e-mail, CD ROM, high-speed ISDN and wireless internet connectivity.

Who We Are:

Mission

The Piedmont Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology is dedicated to creating a community of learners who through a unique physical, intellectual, and social environment will explore the interconnectedness among science, math, and technology through real world applications in order to develop the necessary skills to impact society in a positive manner.

The mission of the Governor's School is to provide a challenging, project-driven, research-based curriculum in a technology infused environment. The school is designed for gifted, highly motivated, and high achieving eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) students from Danville City, Henry County, Martinsville City, Patrick County, and Pittsylvania County School Divisions.

Goals:

• to provide qualified participants with educational experiences that promote interest in and develop skills related to mathematics, science, and technology through research-based projects;
• to provide hands-on, project based interdisciplinary learning challenges in a laboratory setting that will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills of students;
• to provide an environment that fosters a broad exchange of ideas that promotes social, ethical, and personal growth through interaction among students with diverse educational and cultural backgrounds;
• to offer a well defined curriculum that facilitates the transition from high school to college;
• to promote the applicability of mathematics, science, and technology to the real world environment;
• to empower staff, students, and parents to be actively involved in a collaborative, inter-disciplinary process;
• to serve as a resource for schools and communities.