We began the week together with our multicultural assembly, and it set the tone for everything that followed. Our students and staff put in an incredible amount of time and effort, both during the school day and in preparation for the evening program. It was more than a performance. It was a reflection of our community and the pride we take in who we are.
As the week continued, there was a noticeable shift. Warmer weather, time outside, and even a visit from service dogs gave everyone a moment to reset. Those moments matter. They remind us that while we push for excellence, we also have to take care of the people doing the work.
By the end of the week, our classrooms extended well beyond our building. Students and faculty traveled to Morocco, England, Belize, and Iceland. This is a critical part of the MLWGS experience. Our students are not just learning content. They are learning how to navigate the world, to understand different perspectives, and to engage beyond what is familiar. That matters.
We also held our first mandatory senior and family commencement meeting. Thank you to those who attended. We look forward to meeting with the remaining families in two weeks as we continue preparing for graduation.
As we head into Spring Break, we wish our speech students the best of luck at states and our Mech Tech Dragons as they compete in Blacksburg. We are proud of you and will be cheering you on.
I am grateful for this pause. It is needed. As we move boldly toward the end of the school year, this time allows us to reset and come back ready to finish strong. Enjoy the break.
Go Dragons!
Warmly,
Kristin K. Janssen, Executive Director
Additional Announcements below:
Class of 2030 Registration Night is April 8: If your child has received an acceptance message from their home county to attend Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, please review the information below regarding freshman course registration.
Freshmen Registration Night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8th, and will be held in person at 6 pm in the auditorium. During Future Dragon Days earlier in March, we distributed a welcome packet to our newest students. The information in the welcome packet is also available on the school counseling webpage. Please note that all incoming freshmen are required to take Health/PE 9 at Maggie Walker during their Freshman year.
Please plan to arrive a few minutes early, as parking can be challenging. Make sure to bring your completed Rising 9th Grader Course Registration Form to obtain department signatures and register for classes.
Please read through all of the documents, as they have important information about class selection and information about our school. In particular, make sure to look at the Placement Tests PDF to see which in-person placement tests you will need to take. The date is March 21st, and is before registration night; so it will be important to complete the tests on time so that you will know what classes to select. If your child cannot make the April 8th date, please email me at [email protected] and let me know to schedule for the makeup date.
Grandparents’ and Special Adults Day is May 1–Invitee Info Wanted: On the afternoon of Friday, May 1, the Governor’s School Foundation will host Maggie Walker’s annual Grandparents’ and Special Adults Day. Grandparents or other special adults of all current Dragons are invited to come to campus, hear a bit about our wonderful programs, enjoy some sweet treats, and take a tour with their grandchild(ren) at the end of the day.
If your Dragon would like to invite their grandparents/special guest, please fill out the Google form linked here TODAY so we can send invites before break. This year you can have the invite sent via email, snail mail, or picked up and delivered by your Dragon.
The event will begin at 2:30 pm with a short presentation in the auditorium, followed by a reception with the guests’ students at around 3:15 pm. Students are encouraged to show their guests some of their favorite spots around the school once the halls clear. The final shuttle will depart for the parking lot at 4 pm.
Important Parking Info: Because parking is very limited, we will be running a shuttle from a satellite lot tbd. Please consider dropping off and picking up your guests if this is problematic. More details about the location will be provided closer to the event.
Mandatory Senior Graduation Expectation Meetings: To participate in this year’s graduation ceremony, all students and parents/guardians must read, print out, and sign the Commencement Expectations Information and attend a mandatory Zoom meeting. These steps are required for eligibility to participate in the ceremony. Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00 pm is the final date and time to attend.
Senior Cap & Gown Orders: Herff Jones visited MLWGS in mid-October to communicate instructions for ordering graduation-related items like caps and gowns using their online form. Unless otherwise indicated, regalia will be delivered to students at school on April 16 during lunch. If you did not place your order, you will need to contact Herff Jones directly (hjvirginia.com or Sales Rep Jay Roudabush [email protected]) ASAP to see what options remain available. Cap, gown, and tassel are required for participation in the graduation ceremony.
Prospective Dual Enrollment Students and Parents! For all students who plan to enroll in a VCU Dual Enrollment course in the 2026-2027 academic year: Students should review this linked slideshow (presented in the assembly on 3/19) regarding the dual enrollment application, placement, and registration procedures. This slideshow explains which students are required to complete the VCU Dual Enrollment application by April 9th (all students who plan to take Statistics STAT 210 and all first-time VCU students taking MATH 200, MATH 201, or PSYC 401). STAT 210, MATH 200, MATH 201, and PSYC 401 require placement assessments outlined in the slideshow. All students planning to take VCU math courses must also complete this survey to identify the placement assessment they plan to use (AP, SAT, ACT, or the need of the ALEKS placement test in May) by April 9th.
Students who need to take the ALEKS placement test must attend a registration assembly on Tuesday, April 21st led by VCU math faculty and plan to attend the ALEKS testing date on Tuesday, May 26th. On April 21st, ALEKS testers will need to bring a credit card to pay for the test (approximately $20), the laptop they will use for testing in May, and their VCU eID and V# that will be assigned by VCU. MLWGS counselors will assist students who qualify for fee waivers.
Students with disabilities are eligible for dual enrollment classes. Students with accommodations should register through the VCU SAEO Office once they receive their VCU eID and V# as well as complete this acknowledgement form so MLWGS counselors can track this process through VCU. Families can begin the VCU accommodations approval process at this website: https://saeo.vcu.edu/getting-started/registration/. Students seeking to apply their accommodations to ALEKS testing on May 26th must submit their approval letter to the VCU math department ([email protected]) by May 19th. Students should allow approximately three weeks for approval, so apply to the VCU SAEO Office no later than May 1st.
Congratulations to Skanda Azhagappan (10th grade), who has been awarded an all‐expense‐paid summer study trip to Germany. He was selected as a national winner after scoring in the 90th percentile on the 2026 AATG National German Exam for High School Students. Skanda is one of 36 outstanding German students selected from across the US to receive the award. The study trip includes round‐trip airfare to Germany, a two-week homestay in a host family south of Munich, one week in Berlin, and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance. The study trip, now in its 66th year, is made possible through a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany.
Textbook Review: The Social Studies Department is currently considering the adoption of a new textbook for our Honors US History course. The two textbooks currently being considered for adoption are The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People by Alan Brinkley, 10th edition, McGraw Hill Publishers, 2023 and The American Pageant by David M. Kennedy, 18th edition, Cengage Publishing, 2025. The textbooks, as well as evaluation forms, have been placed in the school library and will be available for constituents to critique up through April 23rd. If you have any questions regarding this process then please feel free to reach out to the Dept. Chair via e-mail at [email protected].
Mech Tech Dragons Competition News: The team will compete again this weekend in Blacksburg and has officially qualified for the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship in April. Good luck to Team 422, Sofia, and Mr. Sailer. https://www.firstchesapeake.org/event/frc/2026/vabla
Legislators Forum at MLWGS on April 10: On the evening of Friday, April 10, the Governor’s School community is invited to come together to show our support for public education, civic engagement, and our beloved school. We hope you will join us for the Shamin Hotels Speaker Series, Legislators at MLWGS Forum on Education and Civic Participation, hosted by the Governor’s School Foundation. This forum featuring Virginia State Delegates and Senators from across the districts served by Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School is being organized by our amazing Foundation Fellows. Reserve your seat and submit questions for the legislators online or using the QR code below. We hope to see you there!
