Learn About Student Life at The Governor’s Academy

We warmly welcome parents to campus and appreciate your partnership in supporting your student’s experience. To help students make the most of their academic and social time on campus, we ask that visits take place after the academic day and around their afternoon program commitments. Parents are welcome to join us in the dining hall for meals, and weekends, when students are free from school obligations, are open for visitation. We especially love seeing families at games, performances, and special events throughout the year.

Students have study hall every night from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., and there is always a dorm parent on duty to help create a focused and supportive environment. In addition to dorm faculty, our student leaders and proctors play an important role in setting the tone and being available to their peers. Every room is expected to be quiet and conducive to studying during this time, and adults do regular check-ins to ensure students are staying on task and using the time productively. We’re always looking to strike a balance between independence and accountability, helping students develop good habits while also being present if they need support

Students spend time in the dorms with a mix of people who help create a strong sense of community—dorm parents, proctors, and their peers. Our dorm parents are present each evening and play an active role in supporting students and building connections. Proctors, who are student leaders, help set the tone and model what it means to be a good community member. We also have a visitation policy that allows students to host friends in their rooms after the academic day and on the weekends. It’s all about creating a respectful and inclusive space where students can feel at home while still being mindful of structure and expectations.

Weekends at Govs are a great mix of structure and freedom. While students may have commitments like athletics, the arts, or other school activities, there is also plenty of time to relax, recharge, and connect with friends. We offer a wide range of on and off-campus events, including Target runs, movie nights, hikes, mall trips, and campus cookouts. Mansion House on Friday nights is always a favorite, and students often lead their own events like pickleball tournaments and broomball games. We start the year with the inaugural Dummer Cup and end it with a schoolwide lip sync battle that brings the whole community together. Govs is a great place to be on the weekends, with something for everyone and a campus full of energy and connection

We make sure students have plenty of opportunities to get their meals by providing set dining hall hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. In addition to the main meals, the deli bar is open throughout the day, along with snack, cereal, and fruit stations, so students can grab something whenever they need it. Dorm parents, advisors, and other adults stay connected with students and check in regularly to make sure they’re eating well and taking care of themselves. We encourage students to take responsibility for their nutrition, but we’re always here to support them if they need a reminder or some extra help

In the dorms we expect students to be respectful, responsible, inclusive and kind. That means taking care of their space being considerate of roommates and neighbors and following the guidelines that help keep everyone safe and comfortable. We encourage students to balance independence with accountability by showing up on time for study hall participating in dorm activities and supporting each other. Our dorm parents and student leaders are here to guide and support making sure the dorms feel like a welcoming and inclusive home for everyone.

If your child is feeling sick, we have a fantastic health center available 24/7 to provide care and support. The health center staff are highly skilled and dedicated to ensuring every student receives top-quality care. From 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., we have on-call health professionals ready to assist. In addition to the health center, students can always reach out to their dorm parents and advisors, who are closely connected and attentive to their well-being. We make sure students have multiple resources and a strong support network when they’re not feeling well.