How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in Porter-Gaud. Although our campus is currently closed to visitors, we would still love to meet you virtually. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you learn more about life at Porter-Gaud!
The Process by Division
O'Quinn Families
Priority Enrollment Process for The O’Quinn Schools of Porter-Gaud:
Because O'Quinn students are part of the Porter-Gaud family, rising first graders from O'Quinn are not required to complete the admission application. O'Quinn students are only required to complete the 3 steps listed below, beginning with submitting the Online Inquiry Form.
- Submit an Online Inquiry
- Attend a Lower School Virtual Open House
- Register Your Child for the First Grade Preview
Submit an Online Inquiry
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.
Attend a Lower School Virtual Open House
The best way to discover the Porter-Gaud Lower School is to attend a Virtual Open House. These Zoom events, hosted by Lauren McClary, Associate Director of Admission and Kathleen Beck, Application Process and Event Coordinator, will take place through the fall and winter. They will include a presentation providing an overview of the Lower School, a video showcasing our campus, students, and special programming, and a question and answer session. You will see the school in action and develop a clearer understanding of what makes Porter-Gaud the premier independent school in Charleston.
Register Your Child for the First Grade Preview
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 21, 2021 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. (We will inform families of alternate plans if COVID prevents us from safely hosting visitors on campus at that time.)
Your child will preview life at Porter-Gaud in our sunlit, self-contained first grade building while parents enjoy refreshments with members of the Porter-Gaud admission team and Lower School leadership. After visiting the first grade building, students will reunite with their parents and spend time on the Lower School Playground. If your child is currently in kindergarten and is considering enrolling at Porter-Gaud for the rising first grade in the fall of 2021, please click on the button below to register:
Priority Enrollment Statement:
On February 5, 2021, provided the required steps (listed above) for Priority Enrollment have been completed, and Porter-Gaud is a good academic and social fit for the student and an appropriate enrollment fit for the family, and we can effectively support your child's learning needs, Porter-Gaud will email online enrollment contacts to the families of current O'Quinn kindergarten students. Once you receive the online enrollment contract, you will be able to complete the online enrollment process and pay the non-refundable 10% tuition deposit to reserve a space during this early enrollment window in February.
We realize that families in Charleston have several excellent educational options for their children, and we sincerely hope to have the pleasure of welcoming students from O'Quinn into our rising first grade class this fall!
In all circumstances, Porter-Gaud retains discretion in its admission and enrollment decisions.
Lower School
- Submit an Inquiry Online
- Attend a Lower School Virtual Open House
- Student Visit Experience (rising 2nd-4th graders)
- Register your child for the First Grade Preview (rising 1st graders)
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Schedule a Virtual Parent Meeting
- Send the Teacher Recommendation Form
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision
Submit an Inquiry Online
Attend a Lower School Virtual Open House
The best way to discover the Porter-Gaud Lower School is to attend a Virtual Open House. These Zoom events, hosted by Lauren McClary, Associate Director of Admission and Kathleen Beck, Application Process and Event Coordinator, will take place through the fall and winter. They will include a presentation providing an overview of the Lower School, a video showcasing our campus, students, and special programming, and a question and answer session. You will see the school in action and develop a clearer understanding of what makes Porter-Gaud the premier independent school in Charleston.
Student Visit Experience (rising 2nd-4th graders)
Register your child for the First Grade Preview (rising 1st graders)
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 21, 2021 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. (We will inform families of alternate plans if COVID prevents us from safely hosting visitors on campus at that time.)
Your child will preview life at Porter-Gaud in our sunlit, self-contained first grade building while parents enjoy refreshments with members of the Porter-Gaud admission team and Lower School leadership. After visiting the first grade building, students will reunite with their parents and spend time on the Lower School Playground. If your child is currently in kindergarten and is considering enrolling at Porter-Gaud for the rising first grade in the fall of 2021, please click on the button below to register:
Complete the Application for Admission
Click here to complete the online admission application and submit the $75 application fee (prior to admission testing).
Schedule a Virtual Parent Meeting
We want to get to know you individually! After an Admission Application has been submitted, prospective parents are welcome to Zoom one-one-one with Lauren McClary, Associate Director of Lower School Admission. Please note that due to limited available times, this step is not required for our current parents or any prospective parent who has previously met or toured with Lauren.
Send the Teacher Recommendation Form
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.
Release of Records
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.
Register for Admission Testing
Porter-Gaud's Lower School requires on-site admission testing of all applicants and offers two group-testing dates:
Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Rising 1st Grade: Please click here to register for admission testing.
Rising 2nd-4th Grade: Please click here to register for admission testing.
Admission Decision
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 5, 2021
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 5, 2021
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 12, 2021
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and funding remain available.
Middle School
- Submit an Inquiry Online
- Attend a Virtual Open House
- Student Virtual Visit
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision
Submit an Inquiry Online
Attend a Virtual Open House
Virtual Middle School Open Houses, led by Director of Admission and Enrollment Ken Hyde, will be held throughout the fall and winter, and include a small-group presentation, a question and answer session, and a virtual campus tour.
- Click here to register for the Virtual Middle School (Grades 5-8) Open House date of your choice. Choose from the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m.,
- Tuesday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m.,
- Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m.,
- Tuesday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m., or
- Tuesday, January 12 at 9:00.a.m.
If in looking ahead you would also like to attend a Virtual Upper School Open House, please click here to register for the date of your choice.
Student Virtual Visit
Complete the Application for Admission
Click here to complete the online admission application and submit the $75 application fee.
Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
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.
Release of Records
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.
Register for Admission Testing
Prospective students sit for the ISEE admission test, which is offered at prometric testing centers across the world, and at Porter-Gaud.
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 the ISEE is held at Porter-Gaud: (If you aren't local to Charleston, click here to find a testing center in your area.)
Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. (Computer-based)
Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Computer-based)
Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9:00–11:00 a.m. (Paper test)
Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:00–11:00 a.m (Paper test)
Please click here to register for ISEE testing. (If asked, Porter-Gaud's code is 410412.)
Click here to for what to expect.
Click here for a guide to interpreting your child's ISEE Score Report.
Admission Decision
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 5, 2021
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 5, 2021
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 12, 2021
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and funding remain available.
Upper School
- Submit an Inquiry Online
- Attend a Virtual Open House
- Student Virtual Visit
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision
Submit an Inquiry Online
Attend a Virtual Open House
Virtual Upper School Open Houses, led by Director of Admission and Enrollment Ken Hyde, will be held throughout the fall and winter, and include a small-group presentation, a question and answer session, and a virtual campus tour.
- Click here to register for the Virtual Upper School (Grades 9-11) Open House date of your choice. Choose from the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 15 at 9:00 a.m.,
- Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 p.m.,
- Wednesday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m.,
- Thursday, November 12 at 9:00 a.m., or
- Wednesday, January 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Student Virtual Visit
Complete the Application for Admission
Click here to complete the online admission application and submit the $75 application fee.
Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
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.
Release of Records
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.
Register for Admission Testing
Prospective students sit for the ISEE admission test, which is offered at prometric testing centers across the world, and at Porter-Gaud.
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: (If you aren't local to Charleston, click here to find a testing center in your area.)
Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:00–11:00 a.m
Please click here to register for ISEE testing. (If asked, Porter-Gaud's code is 410412.)
Click here to for what to expect.
Click here for a guide to interpreting your child's ISEE Score Report.
Admission Decision
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 5, 2021
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 5, 2021
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 12, 2021
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and funding remain available.
STUDENT VOICES
"At Porter-Gaud, no student is ever just another face in the crowd; even a teacher you’ve never had for class before will know you and take an interest in your education."
Courtenay White '20
Georgetown University