Upper School

About the Upper School

Porter-Gaud believes that each student should be equipped intellectually, morally, and spiritually to meet the challenges of higher education and modern life. Emphasis is placed upon a mastery of basic subject matter, yet the curriculum is designed to stimulate thinking and broaden perspective. The school year opens in late August and continues until late May, encompassing 175 days of instruction.

Small classes ensure that students receive individual attention. Upper School teachers plan and conduct instruction to provide excellent preparation for college studies. Students in the Upper School receive departmentalized instruction in seven 45-minute periods. Academic subjects include English, math, science, history, foreign languages, fine arts, religion, and computer science.

Effective time management is crucial for success at Porter-Gaud. The school day provides opportunities to complete some homework before leaving campus; however, students should plan to devote additional time at home, the amount depending upon course demands and their individual abilities. The academic departments coordinate testing schedules so that no student has more than two major tests on any day.

Each faculty member offers extra-help sessions and individual conferences. The school’s philosophy places emphasis upon students anticipating their problems as early as possible and using their initiative to seek help and to work out solutions. New students unfamiliar with Porter-Gaud’s academic demands, as well as students who have a previously identified problem in a particular subject, are encouraged to take advantage of extra-help sessions early in the year before problems develop. As a service to students, senior members of the National Honor Society provide tutoring in all subjects.

The school year is composed of three terms of approximately equal length. Term examinations are given before Thanksgiving and at the end of the school year. There are no examinations at the end of the second term, when many courses have major papers or projects. Progress reports are issued at any time a significant change in performance occurs. At midterm and at the end of the term, report cards and teachers’ comments are sent home

Each Porter-Gaud student in grades 9–12 has a faculty advisor who works with a group of 10–12 students on an individual basis. Advisors assist in scheduling courses, discussing academic difficulties and successes, and handling routine administrative problems. Advisors also receive copies of all progress reports and report cards sent to their advisees and have conference time scheduled into each grading period. A parent/Advisor conference day is scheduled after the first term. Parents are encouraged to meet with their child’s advisor that day.

In late winter, students in grades 9–11 select courses for the following school year. Each student’s parents, advisor and the scheduling supervisor, current teacher, and principal review the course selections.

College admission orientation begins in grade 9. By the winter of their junior year, students meet individually with their college counselor, and parents also are advised of the steps involved. Students are urged to take an active role in exploring colleges through correspondence and through visits during their junior year and the summer before their senior year. Representatives of state, regional, and national colleges and universities visit the Porter-Gaud campus throughout the school year to meet interested juniors and seniors.

In addition to academics and athletics, there are numerous opportunities for students to participate in community service projects, choral groups and music , performing arts, reigious activities, clubs, and student government.