Success Stories 2023-2024

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Barbara Marshall

The Regional School Board of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School values the achievements of its students and staff, dedicating this section to honor them.

Honors are earned by students and staff as representatives of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.

Listed in order by school honors, individual achievement, group achievement, the arts, sports, and faculty or other honors.  Recognitions listed on this page are reserved for SCHOOL INITIATED AND/OR RELATED activities and achievements. 

2023-2024

School Successes

2023 AP’s School Honor Roll, Platinum Distinction

VMEA Blue Ribbon School Award, 2023-24

MLWGS is ranked by Niche.com as the #8 Best Public High School in America in 2023, the 7th Best Magnet School in America, the 2nd Best High School in Virginia but the #1 School for Teachers in Virginia, and #1 Best High School in Richmond. 

2023 MLWGS Yearbook wins VHSL First Class Honors in Media Relations and first place from the American Scholastic Press Association.

Mech Tech Dragons move Joint Resolution through the VA General Assembly marking each March 31st as FIRST Robotics Day in Virginia.

(Will be updated throughout the school year)

Student Successes

• The Class of 2024 had 176 Graduates (preliminary numbers, May 9^th)
• As a class, they have performed a total of 33,063 community service hours. This is an average of approximately 188 hours per student.  
• Yash Saxena (Henrico) reported 810.25 hours of community service.
• As a class, they earned $9.54 million in scholarship offers as of May 8th, and that number continues to grow.
• The average GPA was 4.29 (preliminary number).
• The average SAT score was 1,416 and ACT is 33 (preliminary numbers as of June 7th).
• They are going to 59 different colleges, 97 are staying in-state, 59 are going out-of-state, and two are attending college outside the United States.  Three students are planning to take a gap year.  Kalliyan Eam (Chesterfield) has been appointed to the United States Naval Academy.  William Sams (Chesterfield) has been awarded a Marine Option NROTC Scholarship. Fifteen seniors are still considering their post-secondary options and will report their intended college or other plans later this month.
• Sixteen were National Merit Finalists, four received National Merit Scholarships ($2500) and two received National Merit Truist Scholarships, and 30 more received Commendations in the National Merit Program. Four were offered National Merit Scholarships. Two were awarded a corporate-sponsored scholarship through National Merit.
• 3 students named Presidential Scholar candidates.
• In total, the Class of 2024 was recognized with 316 honors, awards, and scholarships!

(11) MLWGS students, 3 seniors and 8 juniors, earn College Board Academic Honors. 

Two MW students are invited to the 2023 Summer Residential Governor’s Foreign Language Academies: French and Spanish.

MW Junior named 2023 Russian Scholar Laureate.

(2) Juniors recognized for assisting Lakeside Elementary School Robotics. 

MLWGS Orchestra Earns Multiple Superior Ratings. Playing Level 6 Music

(This page will be updated throughout the school year)

Team Successes

The MLWGS Bhangra Club wins 1st Place at the Festival of India.

Mech Tech Dragons (Robotics) team captains the winning alliance at Rumble in the Roads.

MLWGS Drama presents Snow Angel, November 2023 and Guys and Dolls, February/March 2024

2024 Regional Scholastic Writing Awards: MLWGS had many students winning 15 awards including 1 Gold Key, 1 American Voices Nominee, 6 Silver Keys, and 7 Honorable Mentions.  

2024 Regional Scholastic Art Awards: MLWGS had numerous students earn 52 awards; 14 Gold Keys, including 1 Gold Key Art Portfolio and 3 Gold Key Photo Portfolio, 13 Silver Keys, including 7 Silver Key Art Portfolios and 6 Silver Key Photo Portfolios.  25 Honorable Mentions with 1 Honorable Mention Art Portfolios and 12 Photo Honor Mention Portfolio. 

2 seniors win Gold and Silver respectively at the 2024 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

MLWGS Quiz Bowl Team goes undefeated to win the VHSL Class 3 State Championship.  Also goes undefeated at Regional Championship. 

Best Scholastic Bowl results results since 2015 at the HSNCT.

Forensics Teams wins 2nd Place at the VHSL Regional. 

TSA wins 6 awards at Regional Fair and compete at State Conference. 

MLWGS at the Japan Bowl 2024 at the University of Maryland. 

MLWGS team wins Narrative Category at the 2024 VHSL Film Festival.

(This page will be updated throughout the school year)

Athletic Successes

Six seniors sign a National Letter of Intent to play on a college team (whether Division I, II, or III). 

Boys cross country team wins the Regional title and the 2023 VHSL State Championship.

Girls cross country team wins the 2023 Regional title. 

Girls indoor track team wins the 2024 VHSL State Championship.

Girls track and field wins the VHSL Regional Title.

Girls tennis wins VHSL Regional Title including Singles Champion, and the State Championship. 

Boys tennis wins VHSL Regional Singles Champion. 

Boys soccer wins the VHSL Regional Title. 

(This page will be updated throughout the school year)

Faculty Successes

Fine Arts Chair has three pieces accepted into the Virginia Juried Art Exhibition.

Science Department teacher named 2022-23 Virginia Girls Tennis Coach of the Year.

Fine Arts Chair in the running for America’s Favorite Teacher.

The MLWGS Librarian Ms. DeGroat will be a presenter at the ALA Annual Conference at the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, June 29, 2024 for One Small Step. 

(This page will be updated throughout the school year)

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Prior academic year Success Stories are archived here. 

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