How to Apply

Begin the process of learning more about the Porter-Gaud difference by completing our brief inquiry form. This step is required of all families (including those with older children already at Porter-Gaud and those currently enrolled at the O'Quinn Schools of Porter-Gaud). It must be completed prior to attending an Open House or parent meeting.

Click here to complete the form.

The best way to discover the difference a Porter-Gaud education would make for your child is to attend an Open House. These parents-only events include a small-group presentation providing an overview of the Lower School, a question and answer session, remarks from a current parent, and a campus tour that includes class visits and the chance to speak informally with current students, faculty, and staff members about their experiences at Porter-Gaud. You will see the school in action and develop a clearer understanding of what makes Porter-Gaud the premier independent school in Charleston.

Open Houses are parent-only events led by Assistant Director of Lower School Admission Lauren McClary. Throughout the enrollment process, Lauren will serve as your child’s advocate. She will seek to learn as much as possible about your child, your family, and the type of independent school education you’re seeking as well as answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to determine if Porter-Gaud is the right fit for your family.

To register to attend an Open House, click here. 

In lieu of the shadow day requirement for older students, kindergarten students and their parents are required to attend our First Grade Preview for Prospective Families on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. Your child will preview life at Porter-Gaud in our sunlit, self-contained first grade building while parents hear about the first grade program from teachers and administrators. Afterward, everyone will enjoy refreshments on the playground. If your child is currently in kindergarten and is considering enrolling at Porter-Gaud for the rising first grade in the fall of 2020, please click on the button below to register:

First Grade Preview Registration

This step is required of all families (including sibling and O’Quinn families) prior to attending an Open House, parent meeting, and having your child shadow.

Click here to complete the form.

Open Houses are parent-only events led by Director of Lower School Admission Lauren McClary and include a small-group presentation, a question and answer session, remarks from a current parent, and a campus tour that includes class visits. Prospective students will have an opportunity to visit the school independently.

Please click here to register for the date of your choice.

If your family is traveling to Charleston from out of town or you are unable to attend one of our scheduled Open Houses, please contact Admission Assistant Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 or send an email to kbeck@portergaud.edu to schedule an individual parent meeting and campus tour.

Applicants for Grades 2-4 are required to spend the day shadowing with their future classmates. Student visitors should arrive at the Admission Office at 7:45 a.m. Parents may pick-up their children at 2:45 p.m. To register for a student shadow day, please call Admission Assistant Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 or send an email to kbeck@portergaud.edu.

In lieu of the shadow day requirement for older students, kindergarten students and their parents are required to attend our First Grade Preview for Prospective Families on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Please click here to register.

Click here to complete the online admission application and submit the $75 application fee (prior to admission testing).

After completing the admission application, parents can log in to the parent portal, and click on 'View Checklist' to send our specific recommendation form electronically to the current teacher. 

Please click here, print the form, complete it, and then take it to your child's current school after the completion of the second quarter. This form authorizes your child's school to send standardized test scores, transcripts, and other required records directly to Porter-Gaud.

Please note that submitting this form prior to the end of the second quarter may delay your child's application as we will receive only partial records.

Porter-Gaud's Lower School requires on-site admission testing of all applicants and offers two group-testing dates:

Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

In the case of families traveling from out of town, admission testing will be conducted during the student’s shadow day, or for applicants to the first grade, during the parent meeting.

Please click here to register for admission testing.

Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 7, 2020

Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 6, 2020

Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 13, 2020

All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and funding remain available.

This step is required of all families prior to attending an Open House or parent meeting or having your child shadow. 

Click here to complete the form.

Open Houses are parent-only events led by Director of Admission and Enrollment Ken Hyde and include a small-group presentation, a question and answer session, and a campus tour that includes class visits. Prospective students will have an opportunity to visit the school independently.

Click here to register for the date of your choice.

If your family is traveling to Charleston from out of town or you are unable to attend one of our scheduled Open Houses, please contact Admission Assistant Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 or send an email to kbeck@portergaud.edu to schedule an individual parent meeting and campus tour.

Prospective students spend a day shadowing in their current grade to experience a day in the life of a Porter-Gaud student.

Please click here to register for one of our Group Shadow Days.

If your family is traveling to Charleston from out of town, please contact Admission Assistant Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 or send an email to kbeck@portergaud.edu to schedule a shadow day on the day of the parent meeting.

Click here to complete the online admission application and submit the $75 application fee.

After completing the admission application, parents can log in to the parent portal, and click on 'View Checklist' to send our specific recommendation forms electronically to the current math teacher, English teacher, and principal. 

Please click here, print the form, complete it, and then take it to your child's current school after the completion of the second quarter. This form authorizes your child's school to send standardized test scores, transcripts, and other required records directly to Porter-Gaud.

Please note that submitting this form prior to the end of the second quarter may delay your child's application as we will receive only partial records.

Prospective students sit for the ISEE admission test, which is offered at prometric testing centers across the world, and at Porter-Gaud.

Please click here to register for ISEE testing. (If asked, Porter-Gaud's code is 410412.)

Registration for a test date is required and typically shuts down a few weeks prior to the testing date. Please register as soon as possible.

Below are the dates testing is held at Porter-Gaud:

Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Click here to for what to expect.

Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 7, 2020

Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 6, 2020

Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 13, 2020

All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and funding remain available.

This step is required of all families prior to attending an Open House or parent meeting or having your child shadow.

Click here to complete the form.

Open Houses are parent-only events led by Director of Admission and Enrollment Ken Hyde and include a small-group presentation, a question and answer session, and a campus tour that includes class visits. Prospective students will have an opportunity to visit the school independently.

Click here to register for the date of your choice.

If your family is traveling to Charleston from out of town or you are unable to attend one of our scheduled Open Houses, please contact Admission Assistant Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 or send an email to kbeck@portergaud.edu to schedule an individual parent meeting and campus tour.

Prospective students spend a day shadowing in their current grade to experience a day in the life of a Porter-Gaud student.

Please click here to register for one of our Group Shadow Days.

If your family is traveling to Charleston from out of town, please contact Admission Assistant Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 or send an email to kbeck@portergaud.edu to schedule a shadow day on the day of the parent meeting.

Click here to complete the online admission application and submit the $75 application fee.

After completing the admission application, parents can log in to the parent portal, and click on 'View Checklist' to send our specific recommendation forms electronically to the current math teacher, English teacher, and principal. 

Please click here, print the form, complete it, and then take it to your child's current school after the completion of the second quarter. This form authorizes your child's school to send standardized test scores, transcripts, and other required records directly to Porter-Gaud.

Please note that submitting this form prior to the end of the second quarter may delay your child's application as we will receive only partial records.

Prospective students sit for the ISEE admission test, which is offered at prometric testing centers across the world, and at Porter-Gaud.

Please click here to register for ISEE testing. (If asked, Porter-Gaud's code is 410412.)

Registration for a test date is required and typically shuts down a few weeks prior to the testing date. Please register as soon as possible.

Below are the dates testing is held at Porter-Gaud:

Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 9:00–11:00 a.m

Click here to for what to expect.

Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 7, 2020

Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 13, 2020

Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 20, 2020

All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and funding remain available.