ATLANTIC COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Eleven (11) scholars have been selected from Atlantic County to participate in 2008 New Jersey Governor's School programs. Governor's Scholars are rising high school seniors who are academically or artistically talented, and each scholar participates in one of six Governor's School programs. Students from public and private high schools across the state compete in this highly selective program. The Governor's Schools are held on six college campuses throughout New Jersey. More than 2,400 students applied to this prestigious program, and approximately 424 students were selected as scholars. The purpose of the New Jersey Governor's School is multi-pronged: to develop the state's gifted students into intellectual and civic-minded individuals, and to prepare these students for higher education.

The Governor's School programs are in the arts (The College of New Jersey), engineering (Rutgers University), the environment (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey), international studies (Ramapo College of New Jersey), public issues (Monmouth University) and the sciences (Drew University). Students take intensive courses, complete assignments and learn time management while participating in Governor's School. It demonstrates the differences between high school and college level courses – the demands, the thrill of real life applications, the need for self-direction and the excitement of using state-of-the-art equipment. For the first time in most of these students' lives, they are living in a residence hall and taking college level courses with faculty members.

To be considered for selection, candidates must be nominated by their guidance counselor and complete an application, write several essays and personal sketches, as well as submit portfolios and attend interviews. The application process starts in November and ends in April, with the final selections being announced. It is no exaggeration to say that the students selected as Governor's Scholars are some of the top students in the state. The month-long summer program is primarily funded through private donations. Below is a list of dates for the 2008 sessions of the New Jersey Governor's School:  

• June 29th – July 19th – School of Engineering and Technology (Rutgers)
• June 28th – July 6th - School of Arts (TCNJ)
• July 6th – July 19th - School on the Environment (Stockton)
• July 6th – July 26th - School of International Studies (Ramapo)
• July 6th – July 19th - School of Public Issues (Monmouth)
• July 13th – August 2nd – School in the Sciences (Drew)

The New Jersey Governor's School program was created in 1983 by Governor Tom Kean, and has been thriving since its inception, with over 7,000 students as NJ Governor's School alumni. The program falls under the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, and is supervised by the Governor's School Board of Overseers who are appointed by the governor. The board works with each host institution to ensure the program continues its high academic standards.

Atlantic County Governor's Scholars- 2008:

For more information you can contact Jane Oates at (609) 292-4310.