Science and Mathematics Governor’s School Named Top-Performing U.S. School by The Washington Post
April 22, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) has been named one of “America’s Top-Performing Schools with Elite Students” by The Washington Post. GSSM was the only South Carolina school included in the list.
The 25 schools, listed in alphabetical order, were described as “non-neighborhood schools with SAT or ACT averages above the highest averages for neighborhood schools nationally.”
GSSM is a two-year, public, residential high school in Hartsville, SC, specializing in the advanced study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with a special emphasis on economics and entrepreneurship. GSSM can serve as many as 288 high school juniors and seniors annually from across the state. The current student body represents 117 high schools and 33 counties. GSSM is one of only 12 specialized, public residential schools across the country.
Beyond its distinctive curriculum, GSSM offers unique learning opportunities including the nationally recognized Summer Program for Research Interns (SPRI), the Research Experience Scholars Program (RESP) and January Interim. These innovative programs provide students with mentored, graduate-level internships, international travel experiences and options to explore non-traditional courses. The School is also educating the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders through the BlueCross BlueShield Economics & Finance Institute and the next generation of creative engineers through the Duke Energy Engineering & Innovation Institute.
The average SAT score for GSSM students (1947) is 518 points higher than South Carolina’s average. GSSM students’ average ACT score (30) is nearly 10 points higher than the state’s average. Forty percent of GSSM’s STEM courses are taught above the AP-level.
“With so many lists of top high schools out there, it is important to know how those schools were selected. We appreciate The Washington Post publishing this list of top-performing schools with elite students, and we are honored to be included,” said Dr. Murray Brockman, GSSM president. “We shouldn’t be compared to traditional high schools and our students are by no means typical. Our courses begin at the AP level, which is where most schools end. GSSM students are the best in the state and selected after a long and rigorous application process.”
About GSSM
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is a two-year, public, residential high school in Hartsville, SC, specializing in the advanced study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), with a unique emphasis on economics and entrepreneurship.
GSSM’s residential program can serve as many as 288 high school juniors and seniors annually from across the state. In addition, the school impacts more than 10,000 teachers and students each year through its innovative virtual and outreach programs. Learn more by visiting www.scgssm.org.
