Accelerate Application Requirements

Accelerate Application Components

Accelerate Program Application Dates*
Open: October 2, 2023
Close: February 24, 2024

Math Assessment Test (Virtual): Invitation Only
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, and Thursday, March 14, 2024, 5:30 pm to 7 pm
Decision Released: Monday, April 8, 2024
Decisions Response Deadline: Friday, April 12, 2024
*Dates are subject to change. Please keep checking the website and stay in touch with your admissions team.

Request More Information

A team member of the Office of Admissions will be in contact with you.

Prior to submitting an application, students must collect, prepare, and compile certain documents. These documents include the following:

  • Proof of South Carolina residency
  • Acknowledgements and Permissions Form signed by the applicant and his or her parent(s)
  • Standardized Test Optional: Official standardized test scores are optional. For more information on our test optional policy, please visit our test optional page.
  • High-school transcript with first-semester grades and a list of second-semester courses
  • School counselor evaluation
  • Math teacher evaluation
  • Science teacher evaluation
  • English teacher evaluation
  • Short Answer Essay- tell us about your passions and/or accomplishments.
  • After Application Submission: Admissions will review all completed applications and invite qualified Accelerate Engineering applicants to take part in the Math Admissions Test (virtually via Zoom).
Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to Accelerate, students must:

  • Be a current resident of the state of South Carolina. Proof of residency is required at the time of applying.
  • Be enrolled in the 9th grade at the time of application.
  • Attend high school in one of our partner districts or at one of the program’s partner schools. See the Partner Schools section below for more details.
  • Have completed Algebra I prior to the beginning of 9th grade.
  • Have completed or be on track to complete Algebra II or Geometry by the end of 9th grade.
  • Have a working email address, which they (or their parents) check frequently.*

*Because Accelerate primarily communicates with applicants via email, students must have an email address. We strongly recommend that you supply us with at least two email addresses, one for the student and a different one for the parent, so that we may contact you in a timely fashion. Please do not use a student’s school or district email address; these email providers often block emails from outside the school or district. Free email providers, such as Gmail or Yahoo, are good alternatives. Emails from GSSM will come from @governors.school, @gssm.k12.sc.us, or @scgssm.org.

Partner Schools

At this time, Accelerate is only open to students at the following schools. Please note: this list is subject to change. The number of students and sites will expand annually.

Schools are organized by district.

Partner Schools

Accelerate Math Assessment

Accelerate applicants will take part in a Math Assessment test as part of the application review process. The assessment will take approximately 2 hours with 30 questions that do not allow for use of a calculator or any electronic device. The questions are designed to measure a student’s understanding of Algebra I.

Info Sessions & Enrollment Counseling

Curious to know what Dual Enrollment Program can do for you? Attend an informational session hosted by your school administrators, counselors and GSSM staff.

Learn about the Dual Enrollment Program with partnered school districts, the application process, and more! Info sessions are approximately 30-45 minutes.

Accelerate Information Sessions

Nondiscrimination Statement

The South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability in admission to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be made South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics, 401 Railroad Ave, Hartsville, SC 29550. For further information on federal nondiscrimination regulations, including Title IX, contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at OCR.DC@ed.gov or call (800) 421-3481.

More Information

Learn more about GSSM through one of our upcoming info sessions.