INFORMATIONAL

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce 
that the 2000 Governor's summer residential program will 
include six Summer Residential Governor's Schools and six 
Governor's Foreign Language Academies. These programs for 
gifted and talented students offer opportunities for 
intensive study in the areas of visual and performing arts, 
academics, foreign languages, and mentorships. 

Summer Residential Governor's School Academic, Visual and 
Performing Arts, and Mentorship Programs
Applications for the 2000 Summer Residential Governor's 
Schools will be available in paper copy, on computer disk, 
and via the Internet. A disk and an information sheet with 
full directions to access applications and administrative 
information through the Internet will be mailed to each 
gifted education coordinator and each headmaster of a 
private school.  A complete set of applications, 
administrative documents, and the information sheet with 
instructions to access the documents through the Internet 
will be sent to each high school guidance counselor.  If 
divisions, or others, need a hard copy of the application 
or an administrative guide, please contact Ms. Cheryl 
Eberly at (804) 225-2067.

Governor's Foreign Language Academies
Applications for the 2000 Governor's Foreign Language 
Academies are available from the Department of Education 
upon request in hard copy or on computer disk.  Order forms 
will be sent directly to high school foreign language 
department chairpersons, foreign language contact persons, 
and gifted education coordinators in each school division 
and to private school headmasters.  Applications will also 
be available on the Internet after November 1, 1999, at the 
address indicated on the order form.  Requests for specific 
foreign language academy applications should be addressed 
to Ms. Priscilla Clayborne at (804) 786-5088.

Application Process Students may not apply to more than
one component of the Governor's summer residential program
per year and may attend only one such program during their
high school careers.  Every school division is guaranteed
representation in the academic program.  Admission to the 
visual and performing arts programs is by audition.  
Acceptance to the Foreign Language Academies is 
competitive, with students submitting unedited samples of 
oral and written work for review by a statewide selection 
committee.  Please read carefully the general information 
that accompanies the applications.  The application packets 
describe the eligibility and nomination requirements 
specific to each program.

Students who are home-schooled may apply by submitting a 
completed application to the principal of the public high 
school in the division in which they reside.  The student's 
application then becomes a part of that school's 
application process.  Private school students who wish to 
apply for the Humanities; Mathematics, Science and 
Technology; or Mentorship programs must apply through their 
headmasters and through the appropriate private school 
region.

Tuition Costs 
The cost of the Summer Residential Governor's Schools and 
the Governor's Foreign Language Academies is shared between 
the state and the local school division or the private 
school attended by selected students.  A division's share 
is based on its composite index, not to exceed 50 percent 
of the total tuition cost. Costs for private school 
students are the private school's responsibility and will 
be 50 percent of the tuition cost. The tuition costs of the 
2000 programs are as follows:

Academic Programs (Humanities and Mathematics, Science, and 
Technology)                             $1355
Visual and Performing Arts Programs      1522
NASA, VIMS, and VCU/MCV Mentorships      1663
Foreign Language Academies               1600

School divisions and private schools must guarantee funding 
for all applicants whom they nominate.  

A list of important dates and information is attached.  
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the 
Governor's summer residential programs.  Please call Dr. 
Barbara McGonagill, gifted education specialist at (804) 
225-2884, if you have questions about the Summer Residential
Governor's Schools; or Dr. Linda Wallinger, foreign language/
ESL specialist at (804) 225-2593, if you have  questions about
the Governor's Foreign Language Academies.

PDS/BKM/LMW/ce

Attachment:     A hard copy of this memo and its attachment 
                will be sent to the superintendent's office.

C:      High School Principals and Headmasters
        High School Guidance Counselors
        Foreign Language Supervisors and Department Chairmen
        Gifted Program Administrators
        Private School Regional Coordinators