How to Apply
The Process by Division
Welcome
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Porter-Gaud!
With the deadline for completing the steps in the application process right around the corner, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year; however, we would love to work with you toward admission for the following year. Click here to submit an Online Inquiry Form for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope to have the pleasure of getting to know your family!
O'Quinn Families
WELCOME!
Priority Enrollment Program 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 steps listed below.
Priority Enrollment Statement:
On February 2, 2024, provided the required process (listed below) for Priority Enrollment has been completed, and Porter-Gaud is a good academic and social fit for the student, 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 in the fall of 2024!
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
- Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Open House (includes a campus tour).
- Attend the First Grade Preview of Porter-Gaud with Your Current Kindergartener (also required of current families and O'Quinn families).
- 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 Open House or parent meeting.
Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Open House (includes a campus tour).
These parent-only events, hosted by Lauren McClary, Associate Director of Admission & Enrollment, will take place through the fall and winter. They 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!
Attend the First Grade Preview of Porter-Gaud with Your Current Kindergartener (also required of current families and O'Quinn families).
The First Grade Preview, scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th from 3:30-4:30 p.m., is required for all first grade applicants (including O'Quinn students and students with older siblings on the main campus) and is held once per admission season. This fun event gives our rising first grade applicants the opportunity visit our campus and get to know potential classmates. Alternatively, it gives our admission staff and Lower School faculty and administrators the opportunity to get to know your child.
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. Please note that the tuition and fees will be updated to reflect the 2024-2025 school year in late January 2024.
Lower School (1-4)
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Porter-Gaud!
With the deadline for completing the steps in the application process right around the corner, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year; however, we would love to work with you toward admission for the following year. Click here to submit an Online Inquiry Form for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope to have the pleasure of getting to know your family!
- Submit an Online Inquiry
- Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Open House (for parents, and includes a campus tour)
- Complete the Application for Admission Form
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
- Schedule an Individual Parent Meeting (families not local to Charleston)
- Send the Teacher Recommendation Form
- Release of Records
- Register for our Admission Assessment (includes a campus tour and classroom visit for students)
- Attend the First Grade Preview of Porter-Gaud with Your Current Kindergartener (also required of current families and O'Quinn families).
- Admission Decision and Dates
Submit an Online Inquiry
An Online Inquiry Form can be submitted by clicking here.
Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Lower School Open House (for parents, and 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!
Dates offered are:
Wednesday, October 4, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 25, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 14, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Friday, December 1, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 18, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Complete the Application for Admission Form
Once submitted, an Online Checklist will be generated. After the admission team processes the application (within 24 hours), please log back in (using the login you will create to begin the application) and click on 'View Checklist'. From the checklist, you can continue with the required steps in the application process. Please keep in mind the deadline of February 2nd to complete the items in this checklist.
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.
Schedule an Individual Parent Meeting (families not local to Charleston)
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 and classroom visit for students)
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 22, 2024 and February 5, 2024)
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 Grade 2 is offered January 23, 2024 and February 1, 2024. To register, begin by clicking here and selecting 'details' (under 'At School'), then 'Applying to Grades 2-4'. For the January 23rd testing date, enter Event Code 9K9EVHE2. For the February 1st testing date, enter Event Code NBFMUEA6.
Testing for Grade 3 is offered December 7, 2023 and January 19, 2024. To register, begin by clicking here and selecting 'details' (under 'At School'), then 'Applying to Grades 2-4'. For the December 7th testing date, enter Event Code K2WGLXGN. For the January 19th testing date, enter Event Code HZSNSC48.
Testing for Grade 4 is offered December 11, 2023 and January 17, 2024. To register, begin by clicking here and selecting 'details' (under 'At School'), then 'Applying to Grades 2-4'. For the December 11th testing date, enter Event Code NLGJSRCH. For the January 17th testing date, enter Event Code ZJLCWYMW.
For families not local to Charleston, call Kathleen Beck at 843 402-4726 to schedule testing to take place in the admission office during a visit to Charleston.
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.
Attend the First Grade Preview of Porter-Gaud with Your Current Kindergartener (also required of current families and O'Quinn families).
The First Grade Preview, scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th from 3:30-4:30 p.m., is required for all first grade applicants (including O'Quinn students and students with older siblings on the main campus) and is held once per admission season. This fun event gives our rising first grade applicants the opportunity visit our campus and get to know potential classmates. Alternatively, it gives our admission staff and Lower School faculty and administrators the opportunity to get to know and observe your child.
Admission Decision and Dates
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 2, 2024
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 8, 2024
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 15, 2024
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 (5-8)
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Porter-Gaud!
With the deadline for completing the steps in the application process right around the corner, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year; however, we would love to work with you toward admission for the following year. Click here to submit an Online Inquiry Form for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope to have the pleasure of getting to know your family!
- Submit an Online Inquiry
- Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Upper School Open House (an event for parents)
- Attend a Student Shadow Day
- Schedule an Individual Family Visit (families not local to Charleston)
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
- Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision and Dates
Submit an Online Inquiry
An Online Inquiry Form can be submitted by clicking here.
Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Upper School Open House (an event for parents)
These parent-only events, hosted by Paige Baran, Assistant Director of Admission, Middle and Upper School, will take place through the fall and winter. They will include a presentation providing an overview of the Middle and Upper School, a question and answer session, and a campus tour showcasing classes in action. We can't wait to welcome you to campus!
Dates offered are:
Monday October 9, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, October 20, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, November 10, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Wednesday, November 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Monday, December 4, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, January 12, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Wednesday, January 31, 9:30-11:30 a.m
Click here to register for the date of your choice.
Attend a Student Shadow Day
As part of the application process, students in grades 5-12 are required to spend a day at Porter-Gaud, in their current grade. This day is designed to help our applicants get a feel for life as a Porter-Gaud student, and is an opportunity for us to get to know your child. Shadow days run from 10:00-2:30, and we are happy to provide a school absence excuse. Please click here to register for the date of your choice, and keep in mind that dates fill quickly. Also, please note that we require an admission application be on file in order for a student to shadow.
Dates offered are:
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Monday, January 30, 2024
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 (Please note that even though this event is after the February 2nd deadline, provided that all other steps in the application process are completed by February 2nd, shadowing on the 6th will not exclude an applicant from the annual decision round.)
Schedule an Individual Family Visit (families not local to Charleston)
Out of town families who cannot make it to a Discover Porter-Gaud's Middle/Upper School Open House are invited to attend an individual parent meeting with Paige Baran, Assistant Director of Admission, Middle and Upper School. Please contact Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 to schedule.
Please note: If the prospective student is in attendance, this can satisfy both the parent visit and "student shadow" day.
Complete the Application for Admission
Once submitted, an Online Checklist will be generated. After the admission team processes the application (within 24 hours), please log back in (using the login you will create to begin the application) and click on 'View Checklist'. From the checklist, you can continue with the required steps in the application process. Please keep in mind the deadline of February 2nd to complete the items in this checklist.
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.
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 Porter-Gaud in the months of November, December and January, and at prometric testing centers across the world (for students not local to Charleston).
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 11, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, January 6, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Saturday, January 27, 2024, 9:00-12:00 (Online)
Saturday, February 3, 2024, 9:00-12:00 (Online)
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 and Dates
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 2, 2024
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 8, 2024
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 15, 2024
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and financial aid funding (if applicable) remain available.
Upper School (9-12)
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Porter-Gaud!
With the deadline for completing the steps in the application process right around the corner, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year; however, we would love to work with you toward admission for the following year. Click here to submit an Online Inquiry Form for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope to have the pleasure of getting to know your family!
- Submit an Online Inquiry
- Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Upper School Open House (an event for parents)
- Attend a Student Shadow Day
- Schedule an Individual Family Visit (families not local to Charleston)
- Complete the Application for Admission
- Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid
- Submit Three (3) Teacher/Principal Recommendation Forms
- Release of Records
- Register for Admission Testing
- Admission Decision and Dates
Submit an Online Inquiry
An Online Inquiry Form can be submitted by clicking here.
Attend a Discover Porter-Gaud's Upper School Open House (an event for parents)
These parent-only events, hosted by Paige Baran, Assistant Director of Admission, Middle and Upper School, will take place through the fall and winter. They will include a presentation providing an overview of the Middle and Upper School, a question and answer session, and a campus tour showcasing classes in action. We can't wait to welcome you to campus!
Dates offered are:
Monday October 9, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, October 20, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, November 10, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Wednesday, November 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Monday, December 4, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, January 12, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Wednesday, January 31, Wednesday, January 31, 9:30-11:30 a.m
Click here to register for the date of your choice.
Attend a Student Shadow Day
As part of the application process, students in grades 5-12 are required to spend a day at Porter-Gaud, in their current grade. This day is designed to help our applicants get a feel for life as a Porter-Gaud student, and is an opportunity for us to get to know your child. Shadow days run from 10:00-2:30, and we are happy to provide a school absence excuse. Please click here to register for the date of your choice, and keep in mind that dates fill quickly. Also, please note that we require an admission application be on file in order for a student to shadow.
Dates offered are:
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Monday, January 30, 2024
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 (Please note that even though this event is after the February 2nd deadline, provided that all other steps in the application process are completed by February 2nd, shadowing on the 6th will not exclude an applicant from the annual decision round.)
Schedule an Individual Family Visit (families not local to Charleston)
Out of town families who cannot make it to a Discover Porter-Gaud's Middle/Upper School Open House are invited to attend an individual parent meeting with Paige Baran, Assistant Director of Admission, Middle and Upper School. Please contact Kathleen Beck at (843) 402-4726 to schedule.
Please note: If the prospective student is in attendance, this can satisfy both the parent visit and "student shadow" day.
Complete the Application for Admission
Once submitted, an Online Checklist will be generated. After the admission team processes the application (within 24 hours), please log back in (using the login you will create to begin the application) and click on 'View Checklist'. From the checklist, you can continue with the required steps in the application process. Please keep in mind the deadline of February 2nd to complete the items in this checklist.
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.
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 Porter-Gaud in the months of November, December and January, and at prometric testing centers across the world (for students not local to Charleston).
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 11, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Online)
Saturday, January 6, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Paper)
Saturday, January 27, 2024, 9:00-12:00 (Online)
Saturday, February 3, 2024, 9:00-12:00 (Online)
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 and Dates
Application Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 2, 2024
Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 8, 2024
Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 15, 2024
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and financial aid funding (if applicable) remain available.
"..there are so many confluences that have led me, and the rest of the Class of 2023, exactly to where we are today. And I think we have Porter-Gaud to thank. Here, we have flown into one another, inspired one another, and learned from one another. Like rivers, each of our paths have collided. Porter-Gaud is the watershed, the area of land where water collects, that has blended our paths—each of our rivers—together."
Turner Long
Class of 2023 Valedictorian
Notre Dame University, Glynn Family Honors Program
"To our extraordinary teachers here: thank you. You have nurtured us, giving all that you can give, to shape us into the people that we are. More than just subject matter, you all have taught us what it means to live deeply and meaningfully, and have exemplified living a life tied to the pursuit of faith, honor, and knowledge."
Anna Lehman
Class of 2023 Salutatorian
Yale University