Launch Pad

Our summer enrichment program strengthens students' foundation for success at GSSM.

Get Ready to Launch!

A strong foundation in math is important to success at GSSM.

Juniors who are invited to Launch Pad spend two weeks in the summer living on campus and working with GSSM instructors to bolster their math skills and confidence. They get an early look at Govie life and get started meeting their new classmates!

Students who complete Launch Pad overwhelmingly report that they are much more prepared for GSSM than if they had not attended. 

Just like during the regular school year, the cafeteria, gym and weight room are open, the residence hall staff is plans activities, and the student assistants are ready to make you feel at home. They work hard in class, then spend the evenings and weekends relaxing and getting to know each other.

You'll commit to spending two weeks with us. We'll commit to helping you unlock your Govie potential. Get ready to Launch.

Launch Pad 2023

Launch Pad is GSSM’s highly successful summer bridge program. This year’s program will be July 9 – 22, 2023. Approximately 30 incoming juniors will participate in this enrichment opportunity designed to bolster students’ math knowledge before beginning our fast-paced curriculum in the fall. A strong foundation in math is critical to successful completion of our rigorous STEM curriculum.


Launch Pad is a residential program: all students stay in GSSM’s residence halls. The cafeteria is open and provides a fine variety of options throughout the two weeks. Residence hall staff and Student Assistants (recent graduates) provide guidance, activities and supervision on nights and weekends.

Academics

Concentrated time will be spent bolstering students’ math knowledge and skills each morning. Students will be introduced to problem solving strategies, develop their quantitative reasoning skills, review key algebraic concepts, and have plenty of time to work on problems alone, with their teachers and with peers.  


Students will have additional academic experiences! English classes, biology, chemistry, biology and physics labs will provide a hands-on, interactive introduction to GSSM academics. These experiences will help students adjust to the expectations, excitement and rigor of the fall curriculum, along with skills to manage it all. 


All classes will be taught by GSSM faculty and staff. Successful completion of Launch Pad will help our incoming juniors hit the ground running this fall!
 

Cost

There is no cost for attending Launch Pad. We provide room, meals, books, and supplies. Students will need only modest amounts of money for incidental, personal expenses. We ask only that students commit to spending both weeks with us and work hard as they embrace life as a Govie. Launch Pad is part of our commitment to helping all students succeed at GSSM.

Living Arrangements

All Launch Pad students live in the GSSM residence halls. They are supervised by professional residence life staff and recent GSSM graduates – Student Assistants. 

Nights & Weekends

Launch Pad is not all academics! We’ll also enjoy outings to Hartsville’s favorite student destinations, along with evening and weekend fun activities and excursions. Evenings and the weekend will help students learn the art of living and learning in a collaborative community of students from throughout South Carolina.

Selection
Selection for Launch Pad is based on a careful review of several factors including each incoming student’s GSSM Math Placement assessment, and courses taken and grades earned at the home high school. Particular attention is given to math preparation; as a STEM school, we are well aware the significant role a strong foundation in mathematics plays in success throughout our curriculum.
Due to our desire to keep this program fairly small, attendance is by invitation only.

For more information about this program, please contact Ms. Kyle Barnett, Director, Center for Academic Success: kbarnett@governors.school.