A. Linwood Holton Governor's School
Virginia's First Virtual Governor's School
One Partnership Circle - Abingdon, VA 24210
Telephone: 276-619-4326      Fax: 276-619-4309     e-mail: holton@hgs.k12.va.us


ANNOUNCEMENTS

 
 
 
Fall 2026 Application and Rgistration Information

Applications Now Being Accepted

Holton Governor's School is now accepting student admission applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. To apply, please download the application and registration forms, complete the forms on a device, then print for signatures. After obtaining the required signatures, give the papers to your guidance counselor, who will then submit the application and course registration packet to HGS if you are approved by your school. Prospective students submitting an application directly to HGS will result in immediate rejection of their application.

General admission and application information is available for prospective students.

Please note: James Monroe High School students do not download the application from the HGS web site. They are to see their school guidance counselor for the appropriate application paperwork.

Course Registration

Now Available: the HGS Course Schedule for the 2026-2027. (James Monroe High School students should consult their HGS course schedule.) The Governor's School offers a variety of classes in subject matter, instruction type, and scheduled time-of-day. To add to the variety HGS will offer for the first time British Literature (ENG 245) during the Spring 2027 semester.

To register for British Literature or its prerequisite (College Composition I & II) and/or all other HGS classes please check the box(es) on the course registration portion of the application and registration packet.

Please Note: April 10, 2026 is the deadline for priority consideration for classes with enrollment caps. (Enrollment cap classes are listed on the HGS Course Schedule.) After April 10th registration requests for enrollment capped classes will be taken if space is available.

So, do not delay! Demand for HGS course seats is high. Make sure you are in the HGS class(es) you want to take by submitting your completed application and registration paperwork to your guidance counselor as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you in the Fall 2026 Semester!

FAQs

Can I mail or email my completed application to the HGS Abingdon office?
NO. Your application must be submitted to your guidance counselor to be considered for admission.

I attended HGS during the fall 2025 semester (or spring 2026 semester). Do I need to apply yet again?
YES. An accepted application is only for admission for one academic year. If you wish to attend HGS for the following academic year, you must apply for admission again.

How do I know if my application is accepted by HGS?
Contact your guidance counselor. The status of all applications is conveyed to your guidance counselor only. The same also applies to class registration: if a seat is available for you in the class(es) selected, your guidance counselor will be notified. Student placing calls and/or emails to HGS requesting admission status or class assignment status will not by answered.

Will I get collage credit for the classes I take through HGS?
Yes, for almost all. All classes are dual enrollment with the exception of Latin, Honors Physics, and Honors Chemistry.

 
 
Appalachian Discouse Volume Twelve Announcement Title Graphic

Volume XII of the Governor's School Annual Literary Journal is Now Available

A compilation of student selected works by Mrs. Traverse Locke's 2024-2025 ALHGS Creative Writing class, the softbound volume of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry will provide hours of great reading enjoyment.

Printed copies can be purchased through Lulu.com.

Additional information about the literary journal, from project information to authors and
writings is available on the Creative Writing's class web site.
 
 

Beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, the Governor's School will offer two new courses in geology: Physical Geology (GOL 105) in the fall 2025 semester and Historical Geology (GOL 106) in the spring 2026 semester. Both dual enrollment courses offer 4 hours college credit and are taught as hybrid courses.

Physical Geology offers a hands-on experience, going beyond lectures to immerse students in the science of our planet. Through engaging and intensive lab sessions, analyze rocks and minerals firsthand, interpret topographic maps, analyze seismic data, and investigate geological processes. The course is not just about learning - it's about doing geology, building practical skills, and uncovering the dynamics forces that shape the world beneath our feet.

Historical Geology traces the evolution of the earth and life through time. The course explores scientific theories of the origin of the earth and life by way of the interpretation of the rock and fossil record.

Learn from the best at HGS: both courses will be taught by a licensed professional geologist.

Get ready to dig into the earth to unearth the secrets of our planet!


 
 

WELCOME to the home of the HGS Bulletin Board. The HGS Bulletin Board is the place where you can find student scholarship opportunities, unique educational opportunities, student competition announcements, and much more.

Oliver Hill/Samuel Tucker Pre-Law Institute

The Virginia State Bar, an agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Oliver Hill/Samuel Tucker Pre-Law Institute (“Institute”). The Institute targets future lawyers at an early age and provides them with exposure and opportunity to explore the legal profession, all at no cost to the participants. The Institute is open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. The Institute is held annually in Richmond, Virginia. This year, it will be held from Sunday, July 5, 2026, to Friday, July 10, 2026, at the University of Richmond. The application packet is available for download HERE (PDF). Any questions regarding the program or application may be sent to hilltuckerinstitute@gmail.com. One can also obtain more information as well as the application through the program's web site. The deadline for the application is Friday, April 24, 2026.

Posted 02-09-26 End 04-24-26

Women in STEM

The Radford University Artis College of Science and Technology Summer Bridge Program: WOMEN IN STEM serves rising sophomore, junior, and senior high school students by facilitating a week of exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Virginia and other states July 12-17, 2026. The Summer Bridge Program is not limited to female participants and any rising sophomore, junior, and senior high school student interested in Women in STEM is invited to apply. A program flyer is available here. Additional information, including application instructions as well as fees, accommodations, and transportation information, may be obtained by visiting the program's website. Applications are NOW OPEN. The first round of selection will take place by January 16, 2026.

Posted 11-21-25 End 01-16-26

2026 BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship

The deadline for the Better Business Bureau Serving Western VA's 23rd Annual BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship Program are quickly approaching. (Scholarship Program Flyer PDF available here) The application deadline for the essay-based BBB Student of Integrity Essay Scholarship, which offers a $1500 award for college costs, is January 31st, 2026. Scholarship program details are available at the program's website.

Posted 09-26-25 End 01-31-26

Virginia Space Grant Consortium Opportunities

Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) provides several FREE and highly engaging Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning opportunities for Virginia students. The applications for three online programs begin closing October 26, 2025

  • Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS), for 10th grade students, focuses on the current missions flown or managed by NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This online course application is OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 26.
  • Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) is an interactive online STEM learning experience for 11th and 12th grade students. It focuses on NASA’s human spaceflight missions and the journey to the Moon and on to Mars. Students learn from NASA experts on how to design space missions! Flyer (PDF) here. This online course application is OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 26.
  • The Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS), an interactive online STEM learning experience for 11th and 12th grade students, focuses on engaging students in real-world investigations of the Earth and its systems using space satellites and the latest research and data from NASA. Applications are OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 26, 2025.
Posted 09-18-25 End 10-26-25

SWVA Can Code!

Learn to program in SWIFT at the SWVA Can Code Camp beginning July 14th at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. The free camp is for rising 9-12th graders. A camp brochure is available here. For additional information and/or to register for the camp, visit the event website.
Posted 045-30-25 End 07-14-25

William & Mary Law School Summer Series

The William & Mary Law School Center for Legal & Court Technology (CLCT) is offering a series of online summer classes to introduce high school students to the law. The summer program includes Introduction to the Law, Introduction to AI, and Introduction to Search & Seizure. A program flyer is available here. For additional information and/or to register for any one of their classes, visit the William & Mary CLCT website.
Posted 04-22-25 End 07-14-25

Dental Health Summer Institute

The Virginia Community College System and Old Dominion University are offering a free dental sciences camp. This virtual event has an in-person lab meeting at Mountain Empire Community College. It is completely free to participants, and a lab kit will be provided to students by Delta Dental. The program is designed to give rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders a look into these academic programs and career field (i.e., dentists, hygienists, and assistants). A program flyer is available here. Application deadline is March 7, 2025. The application for the program is available here.
Posted 2-03-25 End 03-07-25

2025 Summer Residential Governor’s Schools and World Language Academies

The VDOE is pleased to announce that the 2025 Governor’s Summer Residential Program will include seven Summer Residential Governor’s Schools (SRGS) and five Governor’s World Language Academies (GWLA). The SRGS offer gifted and/or advanced high school students opportunities for intensive study in academics, the visual and performing arts, and mentorships. The GWLA offers full-immersion academies for French, German, and Spanish; a partial-immersion academy for Japanese; and a Latin Academy. Students do not need to be identified as gifted to be nominated for one of the GWLA.

The SRGS and GWLA are available to students enrolled in public schools, accredited private schools, as well as home schooled students. The availability of these programs is contingent upon the provision of state funds by the 2025 General Assembly.

Applications, information, and administrative handbooks for the 2025 SRGS and GWLA will be available digitally on the VDOE website October 11, 2024. For details, visit the Summer Residential Governor's Schools web page and Governor's World Language Academies web page.
Posted 10-15-24 End 06-10-25

William & Mary K-12 Learner Programs

William & Mary offers several programs throughout the year for high-ability students: Saturday/Sunday Enrichment Programs, Focusing on the Future, and many others. A brochure listing programs and dates for fall 2024 and all of 2025 is available HERE (PDF). Additional information can be found at the programs' web site HERE.
Posted 09-06-24 End 08-31-25

SVAM 2024 Scholarship

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), Inc. is offering scholarship funding to eligible graduating high school students who wish to pursue post-secondary education for a career in a manufacturing-related field. Students will be eligible for up to $2,000 in scholarship funds. Additional information, applications, etc. can be found at the program's web site HERE. Applications are due no later than March 29, 2024.
Posted 09-05-24 End 03-29-24

Prepare for College In Virginia

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia provides resources for parents and students to help them with preparing for higher education: Student Resources.
Posted 09-05-24 End 05-31-25

MIT Beaver Works Institute

MIT Beaver Works Institute is a four-week program at MIT that challenges high school students entering their senior year to tackle high-tech projects. Watch for future offerings and course announcements here.
Posted 02-12-20
 
 
 
 

HGS Virtual School Browser Requirements

Students may not be able to access the Governor's School's web site features or the HGS Virtual School/Classroom unless they are using the latest version of Chrome and/or Firefox. As new versions of Firefox and Chrome are released, students are obligated to keep their browsers up-to-date to have access to the school's sites.

You do not know what browser version you are using? The Mozilla Support website provides instructions on how to check and update Firefox. The Google Chrome Help website provides instructions on how to check and update Chrome.

The above noted browser requirements are currently enforced.
 
 
Governor's School Introduces A New Video Series


Considering a Governor's School class but would like to know more before you take the leap? To provide more information about classes for prospective Governor's School students, the first series of information videos are now available. The videos are interviews with class instructors as well as current and former students. By viewing the videos, prospective students will learn about the class format, course content, and students' experiences. Series videos will continue to be posted throughout the year. Follow the links below to the web pages on which the currently available videos are posted.

Advanced Multimedia Applications
All History Department Courses:
Appalachian History, Western Civilization, and World Civilization

So grab a Governor's School admission application, a box of popcorn, and prepare to learn about a great opportunity.