How to Apply
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 application process. O'Quinn students are only required to complete the 3 steps listed below: Complete the Online Inquiry Form, attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School event, and attend the O'Quinn Preview with your student.
Priority Enrollment Statement:
On February 11, 2022, provided the required steps (listed below) 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 contracts 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.
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.
Complete the O'Quinn Priority Enrollment Steps Here:
- Submit an Online Inquiry
- Register for a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Event (includes a campus tour)
- Register Your Current Kindergartener for the O'Quinn Student Preview of Porter-Gaud (includes a campus tour)
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
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 a Discover Porter-Gaud event or parent meeting.
Register for a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Event (includes a campus tour)
These parent-only events, hosted by Lauren McClary, Associate Director of Admission, Lower School, will take place through the fall and winter. They will include a presentation providing an overview of the Lower School, a question and answer session, and a campus tour showcasing classes in action. We can't wait to welcome you to campus!
To register for an upcoming Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Event (grades 1-4), click here.
Register Your Current Kindergartener for the O'Quinn Student Preview of Porter-Gaud (includes a campus tour)
O'Quinn kindergarten students and their parents are required to attend our O'Quinn Student Preview, where they will meet our Lower School Head and Dean and tour our campus. This event takes place on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Click here to register for The O'Quinn Student Preview of Porter-Gaud.
Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
Please click here and take a moment to review our current Tuition and Fees, and familiarize yourself with the Financial Aid process if you plan to apply.
Lower School
- Submit an Inquiry Online
- Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Event (for parents, and includes a campus tour)
- Complete the Application for Admission Form
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
- Student Video Submission
- Schedule a Parent Meeting
- Send the Teacher Recommendation Form
- Release of Records
- Register for our Admission Assessment (includes a campus tour)
- Admission Decision
Submit an Inquiry Online
Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Event (for parents, and includes a campus tour)
The best way to discover the Porter-Gaud Lower School is to attend a Discover Porter-Gaud Lower School event. These events, hosted by Lauren McClary, Associate Director of Admission, Lower School, 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. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
To register for an upcoming Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Event (grades 1-4), click here.
Complete the Application for Admission Form
Click here to complete the Admission Application Form. Please note that all of the steps listed on this page, including the admission application form, must be completed by Friday, February 4, 2022 in order to be considered in the annual decision round.
Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
Please click here and take a moment to review our current Tuition and Fees, and familiarize yourself with the Financial Aid process if you plan to apply.
Student Video Submission
We want to get to know your child! After an Admission Application is submitted, applicants for 1st-4th grade are required to submit a short video as part of the application process to help us learn more about your child(ren) and what interests him or her. Before filming, please temporarily change your camera settings on your phone to Low Definition to ensure the file isn't too large to upload. To learn more about the video guidelines, click here.
Schedule a Parent Meeting
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, lead 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 our Admission Assessment (includes a campus tour)
Please register for a Lower School Test and Tour Date.
We administer the OLSAT for applicants to rising first grade. The cost of the OLSAT is included in the first grade application fee.
Click here to register for 1st Grade Assessment (Offered January 20, 21, 27, and 28)
Applicants to rising 2nd-4th grade sit for the ISEE Primary. A separate registration fee is charged at the time of online registration through ISEE by ERB. Click below to register for one of the listed dates.
Testing for Grades 2-4 has been completed; however, we added one additional date, to take place on February 3rd. Click here to register.
For families not local to Charleston, click here to schedule at-home testing.
Click here for tips on how to prepare for the ISEE by ERB.
Click here for a guide to interpreting your child's ISEE Score Report.
Admission Decision
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 4, 2022
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 11, 2022
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 18, 2022
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and financial aid funding (if applicable) remain available.
Middle School
- Submit an Inquiry Online
- Discover Porter-Gaud's Middle School: An on-campus event for both prospective parents and students (includes a campus tour)
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
- Register for a Virtual Family Meeting: We want to get to know you!
- Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision
Submit an Inquiry Online
Discover Porter-Gaud's Middle School: An on-campus event for both prospective parents and students (includes a campus tour)
Discover Middle School events are designed to provide prospective parents and students the opportunity to tour campus, see classes in action, and meet administration and teachers. These events are held on various dates in October, November, January, and February. We are happy to provide a an excused absence letter for your child.
Please click here to select a date and register for you and your child. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
Please note that the January 18th Open House has been changed to a virtual open house, due to the recent spike in COVID cases. Rest assured that our virtual open house still features the usual slide presentation and Q&A session. After registering, we will send you a Zoom link. Also, we will soon send a communication to our virtual attendees (once the spike in cases drops) to offer in-person, small-group campus tours. We realize you still want to see campus!
If you live out of town, please call Kathleen Beck to schedule an individual family meeting and tour.
Complete the Application for Admission
Click here to complete the Admission Application Form. Please note that all of the steps listed on this page, including the admission application form, must be completed by Friday, February 4, 2022 in order to be considered in the annual decision round.
Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
Please click here and take a moment to review our current Tuition and Fees, and familiarize yourself with the Financial Aid process if you plan to apply.
Register for a Virtual Family Meeting: We want to get to know you!
After an Admission Application has been submitted, prospective families are asked to register to Zoom one-one-one with Ken Hyde, Director of Admission and Enrollment.
We are offering many date and time options in the hope that you will be able to find a time that is convenient for your family.
If you have more than one prospective student (for Middle/Upper school), you only need to sign up for one time slot. In the space for the child's name, list one of your children. We can visit with both children in one 30-minute slot!
To register, log into the Parent Portal, click on View Checklist, and then Schedule Appointment.
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 first semester. 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 first semester 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 13, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, January 15, 2022, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Saturday, January 29, 2022, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Please click here to register for ISEE testing. (If asked, Porter-Gaud's code is 410412.)
Click here for tips on how to prepare for the ISEE by ERB.
Click here for a guide to interpreting your child's ISEE Score Report.
Admission Decision
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 4, 2022
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 11, 2022
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 18, 2022
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
- Discover Porter-Gaud's Upper School: An on-campus event for prospective parents and students (includes a campus tour)
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
- Register for a Virtual Family Meeting: We want to get to know you!
- Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision
Submit an Inquiry Online
Discover Porter-Gaud's Upper School: An on-campus event for prospective parents and students (includes a campus tour)
Discover Upper School events are designed to provide prospective parents and students the opportunity to tour campus, see classes in action, and meet administration and teachers. These events are held on various dates in October, November, January, and February. We are happy to provide an excused absence letter for your child.
Please click here to select a date and register for you and your child. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
Please note that the January 12th Open House has been changed to a virtual open house, due to the recent spike in COVID cases. Rest assured that our virtual open house still features the usual slide presentation and Q&A session. After registering, we will send you a Zoom link. Also, we will soon send a communication to our virtual attendees (once the spike in cases drops) to offer in-person, small-group campus tours. We realize you still want to see campus!
If you live out of town, please call Kathleen Beck to schedule an individual family meeting and tour.
Complete the Application for Admission
Click here to complete the Admission Application Form. Please note that all of the steps listed on this page, including the admission application form, must be completed by Friday, February 4, 2022 in order to be considered in the annual decision round.
Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
Please click here and take a moment to review our current Tuition and Fees, and familiarize yourself with the Financial Aid process if you plan to apply.
Register for a Virtual Family Meeting: We want to get to know you!
After an Admission Application has been submitted, prospective families are asked to register to Zoom one-one-one with Ken Hyde, Director of Admission and Enrollment.
We are offering many date and time options in the hope that you will be able to find a time that is convenient for your family.
If you have more than one prospective student (for Middle/Upper school), you only need to sign up for one time slot. In the space for the child's name, list one of your children. We can visit with both children in one 30-minute slot!
To register, log into the Parent Portal, click on View Checklist, and then schedule an appointment.
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 first semester. 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 first semester 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 13, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, January 15, 2022, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Saturday, January 29, 2022, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Please click here to register for ISEE testing. (If asked, Porter-Gaud's code is 410412.)
Click here for tips on how to prepare for the ISEE by ERB.
Click here for a guide to interpreting your child's ISEE Score Report.
Admission Decision
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 4, 2022
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 11, 2022
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 18, 2022
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