Student Events and Programs
HeaderCelebrating Academic Excellence
Our programs and events provide opportunities to showcase academic excellence across West Virginia:
- Academic Showdown - A head-to-head academic competition bringing West Virginia high school students together for regional matchups
- Arts Alive - Showcasing outstanding arts education and student achievements
Golden Horseshoe - Honoring 8th-grade students who excel in West Virginia history
Save the Date: Arts Alive Submissions
Arts Alive 2025 will be held on Friday, May 2nd. Submissions for dance, music, theater, and visual art begin in February.
Student Fairs
West Virginia State Social Studies Fair
West Virginia State Social Studies Fair provides opportunities for students to study and understand cultural, social, political, geographic and economic forces of historical and current issues.
West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair
The West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair creates opportunities for students to be creative and resourceful as they contemplate problems to solve in the real world.
Academic Programs
Governor's Schools
Free summer programming in the arts, humanities, mathematics, science, and technology
for students in grades 7 to 11.
United States Senate Youth Program
A national nonpartisan initiative to provide talented high school students with an opportunity to demonstrate leadership abilities and deepen their understanding of America’s political processes.
9th - 12th Grade Youth in Government
High school students experience the process of state government and make decision to move WV forward by presenting legislation in the WV House or Senate Chambers.
8th Grade Youth and Government Seminars
Our 8th graders learn the operation of state government, strengthen their understanding of the three branches of government, better understand the Constitution, and learn the responsibilities of citizenship.
National History Day
National History Day is a national contest, which begins with local and state contests, that allows students to research and become experts on a historical topic of interest.
Celebrate Freedom Week
Celebrate Freedom Week is a full week of classes to educate students about the founding of the Unites States, including the founding values and the sacrifices made for freedom.