Governor's School of New Jersey

The Governor's School of New Jersey is a summer program for artistically or academically talented high school students from New Jersey, who have completed their junior year. The School is an intensive four-week residential program conducted on six college campuses throughout the state. Emphasis is placed on problem solving of complex issues that exist on the local, state, national, and international levels, leadership training, and creative expression though the medium of fine and performing arts. As an incentive to foster creativity, the program includes no grades or academic credit.

2006 budget cuts
From inception in 1983 through 2006, the School had been free-of-charge. By 2006, the School had grown to serve more than 600 students per year. As part of Jon Corzine's efforts to control growth of the 2006 budget, the Governor proposed cuts to several education programs. One of his most controversial cuts was the elimination of the entire $1.9mm allocated to the Governor's School. After a healthy backlash from alumni, parents, faculty and others who realized the value of the program, however, the 2006 Schools were held funded entirely with private contributions.

On September 22, 2006, the Star-Ledger reported that Gov. Corzine signed Executive Order 35 (2006) continuing the Governor's School of New Jersey as a privately-funded, tuition-based program. As of late September 2006, the scope, tuition, and other important details of the 2007 Governor's School have not be set.

Learn more about the program by watching the documentary about Governor's School of the Arts, created by the 2006 Video/Film scholars, by visiting the Film/Video scholars' website.

Schools
There are six, separate schools included as part of the Governor's School, each focusing on a specific field of study:
 * The Governor's School of Public Issues and the Future of New Jersey held at Monmouth University emphasizes policy making, the interdependence of communities and civic responsibility, locally and globally.
 * The Governor's School of the Arts held at The College of New Jersey offers a concentration in film/video production, music, dance, visual arts, theatre, and creative writing.
 * The Governor's School in the Sciences held at Drew University focuses on such subjects as chemistry, physics, mathematics, quantum mechanics, combinatorics, and molecular orbital theory.
 * The Governor's School on the Environment held at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey exposes students to intensive course in national / urban ecosystems, pollution, geopolitics of space, and the international food / water crisis. Students also gain hands-on experience in environmental field work through projects in ecologically important sites such as the New Jersey Pine Barrens and local area beaches.
 * The Governor's School of International Studies held at Ramapo College, which traditionally has included a one-week immersion study in Quebec, Canada, teaches students about other cultures. Due to recent budget cuts, 2006 students will not study in Canada and will instead spend time at the United Nations in New York City.
 * The Governor's School of Engineering and Technology, or GSET, on Busch Campus, Rutgers University. As part of this program, students study robotics, physics, and technology. Electives in the subjects of biomedical engineering, technology mathematics, and seismic engineering are also offered to students. One of the most enriching experiences occurs during the Robotics course where students build their own robots for three competitions. Other perks include the GSET World Cup, talent show, trips to local pharmaceutical and engineering companies, DDR, ping pong, Guitar Hero, Pool, and Super Smash Bros Tournaments, and research groups, where students explore different fields of engineering and their practical applications.

History
The Governor's School was chartered by Governor of New Jersey Thomas Kean in 1983. The first school, School of Public Issues-Monmouth University, began with 113 students. In 1984, two additional programs were added, School of the Sciences-Drew University, and School of the Arts-The College of New Jersey. Each program accepted 100 students. In 1989, School on the Environment-Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, was added with an additional 100 students. The Governor's School on International Studies at Ramapo College began in July, 2000 and the School of Engineering and Technology housed on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University was established in July 2001.

On July 20, 2006, the Governor's School for International Studies was cancelled due to an outbreak of whooping cough. This closure marked the first premature end of any New Jersey Governor's School program.

Admission
Students must be nominated by the guidance counselor in the high school. An interested student should speak with the guidance counselor in September of his/her junior year to express an interest in applying to the program. The program is open to all public, private, and parochial schools in New Jersey, and to all home-schooled students who live in New Jersey.

Since its inception in 1983, the program has served 6,500 students. There are typically 2,400 applications and the program serves approximately 625 students each year.

The Governor's School of the Arts

 * Kal Penn - actor, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, 2004
 * Gerard Canonico - actor, Spring Awakening, Les Misérables, 2006
 * Chris Castro - actor, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 2006
 * Hector Luis Bustamante, actor and graphic designer, 1989
 * Robert Tsai - actor/musician, School of Rock, 2007
 * Tina Gharavi - filmmaker, Closer, 2001 Mother/Country'', 2002