The Academy offers a challenging, thought-provoking and student-centered curriculum that inspires a passion for learning. By focusing on the learning process and the development of essential skills, The Governor's Academy teaches students how to think critically, creatively and independently. We encourage students to acquire knowledge through hands-on activity, multi-disciplinary inquiry, analysis and reflection. Many structures - including the advising system, extra help sessions, and evening study hours supervised by dormitory parents - help students learn to study and manage their time well. Our goal is to teach young people to become actively accountable for their own learning and to grow by learning with others.

Longer class blocks are essential to the curriculum. Classes meet for 60- and 90-minute periods, affording students and teachers more opportunity to explore subject matter in depth, from different perspectives and with a variety of classroom activities. In addition to traditional assessments such as tests and papers, students debate, conduct hands-on laboratory and field experiments, make oral presentations, research in groups, use technology to create presentations, and design their own exhibits.

Students and faculty bring to The Governor's Academy a richness of experience, perspective and diversity which adds immeasurably to the education of all. This is the spirit that inspires a community of learners.