About

North Dakota Governor’s School (NDGS) is a residential, on-campus experience at North Dakota State University designed for high-achieving students who want to explore college-level learning in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and more.

Founded at NDSU in 1990, NDGS is proud to be a member of the National Conference of Governor’s Schools. Since its start, NDGS has welcomed over 1,700 students from across North Dakota, giving them the chance to grow academically, build lifelong friendships, and prepare for college success.

NDGS at NDSU is proud to have had student representation from every county in the state since 1990. Many of our scholars go on to attend college in North Dakota, return to the state to pursue their careers, or discover their chosen career path through experiences first introduced at NDGS.

Mission

The mission of the North Dakota Governor’s Schools is to serve academically talented high school students of North Dakota through programs of college-level instruction in an environment of academic excellence.

History

Founded at North Dakota State University in 1990, North Dakota Governor’s School began with pathways in Mathematics and Science before expanding to include Life & Leadership. Over time, additional options such as Business, Information Technology, English, Engineering, Architecture, and the Arts were added. Since its start, the program has served more than 1,200 students from across the state.

After a pause from 2020–2023 due to funding, NDGS was reinstated in 2024 at NDSU with a renewed focus on STEM learning. Today, the program alternates between institutions: NDSU hosts NDGS in even-numbered years with pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, while the University of North Dakota hosts in odd-numbered years with pathways in Education, Health Studies, Mental Health, and Energy Law.

NDGS is proud to be a member of the National Conference of Governor’s Schools, aligning with similar programs nationwide that promote academic excellence and summer enrichment for high-achieving students.

2024 Program Impact