South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
| South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
401 Railroad Ave. , | |
| Coordinates | 34°22′23″N 80°03′54″W / 34.373°N 80.065°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public boarding school |
| Motto | 24/7Smart |
| Established | 1988 |
| President | Dr. Murray Brockman |
| Grades | 11-12 |
| Number of students | 277 |
| Campus | Residential Dormitories mixed with Labs, Classrooms, and a Gymnasium |
| Color(s) | Navy Blue and Silver |
| Mascot | Eagle |
| Newspaper | The Govie Gazette |
| Website | www.scgssm.org |
The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is a public boarding high school for students in grades 11 and 12, located in Hartsville, South Carolina. The school concentrates on science and mathematics, but offers the full spectrum of the humanities as well. The school has 40 teachers; 80% have earned doctorates and 100% have master's degrees. Students regularly score the highest SAT average in the state (1966 in 2015). The school was named among Newsweek's "top 20 elite high schools" in 2009 and The Washington Post's "top-performing schools with elite students" in 2015.[1][2]
In 2009, GSSM began the Research Exchange Scholars Program (later renamed the Research Experience Scholars Program) with exchange students from Pforzheim, Germany[3] and Daejeon, Korea. The program has grown to include more locations in Germany and plans are underway to include sites in a number of countries.
Beyond the education provided to students in residence, the school runs outreach programs for high school students in Greenville, Beaufort and Greenwood with its GoSciTech Program. Students in Darlington County Schools also benefit from a joint program with GSSM, and Coker College, funded by Sonoco.
History
The school was founded in 1988 by Governor Carroll Campbell and Charles W. Coker on the grounds of Coker College and constructed with private funds. In 2003, the School and its 128 students moved down the street to a new, state-of-the-art building capable of housing 288 students. In 2010, two new wings were added: the Academic Wing, featuring more than 18 classroom and laboratory facilities, and the Student Activities Center, which includes a gym, secret basement, weight room, engineering projects center, fully equipped kitchen, game room and space for students to relax.[4]
Administrative
Admission to GSSM is by application and open to any resident of South Carolina in his or her sophomore year of high school. More than 350 students apply each year for the coming junior class, with about 153 invited in 2015 (varying from year to year so that the student body size at the start of each year is 288). Applications are due by February 1 before the school year in which the students will begin attending. It should be noted that a score on one of the following standardized tests is required for admittance: PSAT, SAT, or the ACT. The remaining students are placed on a waiting list, which is pulled from should any of the originally selected students decide not to accept.
Student Life
All students live in residence at the School. Each suites consists of two rooms and a bathroom and houses two students. There are common areas on each hall for studying, relaxing and spending time together.
Ninety percent of the student body participates in the school's 69 clubs and societies. Many students also participate in varsity athletics with cross country, swimming, volleyball, tennis and soccer teams consistently ranked highly and/or participating in state championships.[5]
Students are required to complete 83 hours of community service annually, though a majority of the students surpass this requirement. Service projects include tutoring local students and residents, computer, website and IT help for business owners, volunteering at the animal shelter and food bank, and helping around campus.
Notable Alumni
See also
- South Carolina Governor's School For The Arts & Humanities, similar program located in Greenville, SC, opened in 1999.
- Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
- Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts
- North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
- Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science
- Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
- Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
References
- ^ "Governor's School for Science and Mathematics among Top 20 public elite high schools". South Carolina Department of Education.
- ^ "Top-performing schools with elite students". The Washington Post.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://www.scnow.com/news/local/article_1d896e88-d597-59d2-b9fe-9956687db21f.html
- ^ "Mission and History". South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics.
- ^ "2013 Report Card" (PDF). State of South Carolina.
- ^ "NBC's Parks and Recreation star has SC ties". WIST.