Governor’s School at Innovation Park offers high school students a pathway to college at George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus

The Governor’s School at Innovation Park, located at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus, holds a special distinction: It’s Virginia’s only academic-year Governor’s School located on a four-year college campus. 

That means that high school juniors and seniors spend part of each school day experiencing life as George Mason University students. 

The Governor’s School at Innovation Park celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Located in Manassas, it is one of 19 academic-year Governor’s Schools in the commonwealth. Students earn college credit for their coursework through dual enrollment at their high school and George Mason. 

"The Governor's School at Innovation Park provides a vital opportunity for local high school students to experience the rigors of college education,” said Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs at George Mason. “The program exemplifies George Mason’s role as an anchor for access to higher education in Northern Virginia.”

Qualified students at partner high schools are offered guaranteed admission to George Mason after completing the program.

The Governor’s School at Innovation Park serves 166 students from 15 high schools across three school divisions. The program’s faculty are Prince William County Schools employees and are also George Mason affiliate faculty. Several also work as adjunct faculty at George Mason.

The program was founded in 2010 through the collaborative efforts of George Mason, Prince William County Public Schools, Manassas City Public Schools, and Manassas Park City Schools. The STEM-focused curriculum includes real-world research and mentorship opportunities in business, industry, government, and university settings.

“Our location at George Mason’s SciTech Campus has had an incalculable impact on all three school divisions, as well as the campus,” said Jason Calhoun, director of the school. “Our students’ access to world-class laboratory facilities has allowed them to conduct research and excel in national and international research and STEM competitions.”

Students are selected for the program through a committee review process in their school division. Applicants are evaluated based on a holistic review of their academic performance in high school and must have demonstrated excellence in advanced STEM courses. 

“There is no better opportunity to prepare our advanced STEM students for the rigors of advanced course work and research, while still having access to the opportunities and socialization that high school allows,” said Calhoun. 

Calhoun noted that the program helps students hone laboratory and research skills, time management, and organizational skills, which are critical to success in college and beyond.

“The breadth and depth of their growth over two years is amazing, in part due to the structure of our students’ schedules and the early access to college life and expectations,” said Calhoun.

The Governor’s School semester has wrapped up with a research symposium and a graduation ceremony for seniors. And with STEM coursework under their belt from George Mason, their paths to success have a foundation of excellence.