The Governor's School for the Arts is a center for innovation that develops excellence, nurtures creativity, inspires artistic vision and builds communities with a passion for the arts. There is no tuition fee for students to participate. Transportation is provided to GSA by the local school divisions. Students may earn three credits for each year they attend GSA. Admission to GSA is by audition. Any student in grades 8 -11 is eligible to apply. Applicants provide an application, teacher recommendations and permission from their high school principal. To attend GSA, the student must be enrolled in a public high school in one of the eight participating school divisions. The Governor’s School for the Arts is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and the public school divisions of Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
"Our mission is to educate each student to be a successful, productive contributor to society by providing powerful teaching and learning opportunities"
In 1978, the school systems of Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk and Virginia Beach established the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP), with financial assistance from the Virginia Department of Education.The organization provides a formal structure through which the participating school systems can plan and operate programs for children with special needs. SECEP is a public body established in accordance with the Code of Virginia which provides for the establishment and operation of jointly owned schools. Our Mission: Guided by a solid commitment to the growth of children, we provide comprehensive educational programming for adiverse population of students with challenging needs through high-quality instruction within a safe and nurturing environment.