Applying to CGS

The Commonwealth Governor’s School program serves students in grades 9 – 12 from Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties. Any resident of our participating counties is eligible to apply through their local school division.


Beginning in December of each year, the participating school divisions accept student applications and conduct a rigorous review and evaluation process. Students in the CGS program are considered to be academically gifted and highly motivated.


Student Selection

Students are selected to attend CGS in a competitive process that evaluates grades, academic ability and achievement, teacher recommendations, an interview ,and a portfolio presentation of self-selected interests. Applications are reviewed by independent selection committees from each participating division.

In Their Own Words

“CGS has given me the unique opportunity to learn through field experiences that are both enjoyable and enlightening. These opportunities help me retain and reinforce the information we have already covered in class, which in turn helps me succeed. These field experiences also create special memories that I will be able to look back on in the future.”

A young boy in a life jacket is holding a crab in his hands.

Information Sessions

Division Event Title Date Time Location Audience
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/15/2026 Post Oak Middle School 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/15/2026 Ni River Middle School 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/15/2026 Spotsylvania Middle School 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/16/2026 Thornburg Middle School 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/16/2026 Battlefield Middle School 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/16/2026 Chancellor Middle School 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session Middle School Visits 10/19/2026 Freedom Middle School 8th grade students
Caroline Information Session CBGS and CGS Family Night 10/26/2026 6-7:30pm Caroline Middle School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Caroline Information Session Middle School Visits TBD Caroline Middle School 8th grade students
King George Information Session CBGS and CGS MS Student Information 10/29/2026 King George Middle School Algebra I/Geometry Classes
King George Information Session CBGS and CGS Family Night 11/3/2026 6:00-7:30pm King George High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
All Information Session Holy Cross Academy HS Night 11/4/2026 6:00-8:00pm Holy Cross Academy 8th grade students
Spotsylvania Information Session 4E Education Expo 11/5/2026 5:15-7:30pm Courtland High School 5th-8th grade families
Spotsylvania Information Session Spotsylvania Gifted Advisory Cmte 11/10/2026 5:30-6:45pm School Board Office Board Room GAC
Spotsylvania Information Session CGS/IB Open House night 11/12/2026 6:00-7:30pm Spotsylvania High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Spotsylvania Information Session CGS Open House 11/16/2026 6:00-7:30pm Riverbend High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Stafford Information Session Middle School Homeroom Visits 11/16/2026-11/20/2026 All Stafford Middle Schools 8th grade students
Stafford Information Session High School Discovery Night 12/1/2026 6:00-8:00pm Stafford High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Stafford Information Session High School Discovery Night 12/2/2026 6:00-8:00pm North Stafford High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Stafford Information Session High School Discovery Night 12/3/2026 6:00-8:00pm Mountain View High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Stafford Information Session High School Discovery Night 12/7/2026 6:00-8:00pm Brook Point High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Stafford Information Session High School Discovery Night 12/9/2026 6:00-8:00pm Colonial Forge High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Stafford Information Session High School Discovery Night 12/10/2026 6:00-8:00pm Hartwood High School 8th grade (MS) students & families
Caroline Application Window Application 10/26/2026 - 1/8/2027 8th grade students
King George Application Window Application 11/4/2026-12/18/2026 8th grade students
Stafford Application Window Application 12/01/2026 - 2/1/2027 8th grade students; upperclassmen
Spotsylvania Application Window Application 12/1/2026 - 1/7/2027 8th grade students
All Admission Emails/Letters Sent Out 2/26/2027 8th grade students
CGS Admit Cookies with the Commonwealth TBD All Incoming Students

Application Information

Please see your school division below for application information

  • Caroline County

    Information about applying to CGS in Caroline is available by contacting Nikki Kiger, Gifted Specialist, Caroline County Public Schools at hkiger@ccps.net.


    Applications for Caroline County are due January 8, 2027.

  • King George County

    Information about applying to CGS in King  George County is available by contacting the middle school counseling department or Erin Kaple  at ekaple@kgcs.k12.va.us.



    Applications for King George County are due December 18, 2026.

  • Spotsylvania County

    Information about CGS in Spotsylvania can be found in the Advanced High School Programs section on their website.


    Applications for Spotsylvania County are due on January 7, 2027.


    For more information, contact Jessica Lowery, Gifted and Advanced Programs K-12 Coordinator at jlowery@spotsylvania.k12.va.us.

  • Stafford County

    Information about CGS in Stafford County can be found in the Secondary Offerings section on their website.


    Applications for Stafford County are due in January 2026.


    For more information, contact Star Kiesau

    Coordinator of Gifted Programs, Stafford County Public Schools at kiesaums@staffordschools.net or 540-658-6000.