DeSoto County Schools is encouraging high school sophomores and juniors to apply for Mississippi Governor’s School, a free, two-week summer honors program for some of the state’s most motivated teens. The district shared the call for applications on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Nov. 1, at 11:59 p.m., and the 2027 session runs June 6-19 at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus.
What Mississippi Governor’s School Offers
Mississippi Governor’s School, known as MGS, is a residential program. Students, called scholars, live on the MUW campus for two weeks, take challenging classes, and get a taste of college life with other high-achieving students from across Mississippi. According to MUW, the program has been running for more than four decades.
Scholars can expect:
Academic courses and leadership experiences
Community service projects
Team-building activities
Three hours of honors college credit
Tuition, housing, meals, and program activities are provided at no cost. MUW notes that families are responsible for transportation and personal dorm supplies.
“MGS is about so much more than being a high-achieving student,” MGS coordinator Mackenzie Pearce said in the university’s announcement.
Who Is Eligible
The program is open to Mississippi residents who are current sophomores or juniors during the 2026-27 school year and have not attended MGS before. Students selected will attend next summer as rising juniors and seniors.
Applicants should show advanced ability in at least one area, such as:
Academic aptitude
Creative thinking
Leadership
Fine or performing arts
How to Apply by Nov. 1
The application has several parts, so students should start early. MUW says it includes:
A résumé
Two letters of recommendation
Documentation of eligibility and advanced ability
A written response to the 2027 scholar prompt
Students can find the application and full requirements at muw.edu/education/govschool. Because recommendation letters take time, students may want to talk with teachers and school counselors before DeSoto County Schools’ fall break, which runs Oct. 5-10.
Why It Matters for DeSoto County Students
DeSoto County Schools is the largest school district in Mississippi, with high schools in Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, Hernando, Lewisburg, Lake Cormorant, Center Hill, and DeSoto Central. That means a large pool of eligible sophomores and juniors. Programs like MGS give students college credit, statewide connections, and a strong line on college and scholarship applications, all without the cost of a typical summer camp.
The district also pointed families to MGS on Facebook and Instagram at @msgovschool for updates. Schools and counselors can use an MGS recruitment toolkit with ready-made announcements and social media posts.
