Upper School Updates

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Senior Day of Caring

The Class of 2027 spent Friday morning packaging nearly 26,000 meals of fortified oatmeal for local food banks. In the afternoon, students continued their service at 10 organizations across Charleston. It was a full day of purpose, learning, and service for the Class of 2027! Click here to see photos. 

Upper School Homecoming Dance | Saturday, October 3

Our Student Activities Council will sponsor the 2026 Upper School Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 3, from 7–9 p.m. in Washington Hall. Students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 are encouraged to attend and enjoy the evening with their friends and classmates. Outside guests are not permitted.

This year’s Homecoming theme is Tropical! Washington Hall will be transformed with tropical decorations, activities, and other elements designed to make the evening a fun and memorable event for our students. The tropical theme is for the atmosphere of the dance and does not dictate student attire.

• Tickets: Tickets are now available, and we encourage students to purchase early. Early Bird tickets are $11 from September 16–26. Tickets will increase to $16 from September 27–October 2 and to $26 on the day of the dance, October 3. Tickets must be purchased online and these prices include $1 service fee.  Purchase Homecoming Tickets here.
• Arrival and Dismissal: Students must arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m., and the doors will close at 7:30 p.m. In accordance with our dance policy, students are required to remain at the dance until 9:00 p.m. Please plan transportation accordingly.

• Parking, Drop Off, and Pickup: Students who drive should park in the Lower School parking lot. Parents and caregivers dropping off or picking up students should use the Lower School carpool loop. The Lower School main entrance will be the only campus gate open for the dance.
• Attire: The dress is semi-casual, which includes attire such as sundresses and polo shirts. Again, the tropical theme does not change the dress expectations for the evening. We ask that all students dress appropriately for a school event. Students who arrive in attire that does not meet school expectations may be asked to leave the dance.

We look forward to a great evening and hope to see our Upper School students there!

Senior Privileges

Senior Privileges for eligible members of the Class of 2027 began Tuesday, September 15. Seniors with a completed permission form who meet the eligibility requirements may take advantage of late arrival and early dismissal when they have a free first or last period Monday through Friday. On Tuesdays through Fridays, eligible seniors may also leave campus during mid-day free periods. Students have received a detailed schedule showing the specific privilege times associated with each academic block.

We have emphasized to seniors that these are privileges, not rights, and that students must consistently meet our expectations to remain eligible. Seniors must have all grades at 80 or above, have no outstanding detentions, follow expectations related to cell phones and their Yondr pouch, and remain in good standing with school policies. Any student who reaches 15 absences in a single class will lose Senior Privileges for the remainder of the school year.

Students must sign in and out at the Upper School front desk every time they arrive on or leave campus and must allow enough time to return for their next class without being tardy. Advisory, Chapel/Jewish Life, and WATCH blocks when programming is scheduled remain mandatory, even when they fall adjacent to a student's free period. Students must also represent Porter-Gaud appropriately while off campus and follow all traffic laws and school expectations.

Eligibility based on grades and detentions is reviewed each Sunday and remains in effect for the following week. If a student serves an outstanding detention or raises a grade during the week, eligibility will be reconsidered during the next Sunday review. Policy violations, including tardiness, failure to sign in or out, uniform violations, or missing mandatory programming, may result in the loss of privileges for one week.

We appreciate our senior families reinforcing these expectations at home. Senior Privileges are intended to provide our oldest students with greater independence while also asking them to demonstrate the responsibility that comes with it.

Ninth-Grade Parent & Caregiver Coffee
Wednesday, September 23 | 9:00 a.m. | Upper School Library

Please join us for a Parent Coffee with the Soundcheck Prevention Network on September 23 after drop-off. We will discuss practical ways to empower your student to make healthy decisions and navigate new pressures during their transition to Upper School. While attendance is optional, we strongly encourage all families to join us for this important conversation on holistically supporting your ninth grader. Please click here to RSVP. 

Back-to-School Night Links

If you weren’t able to attend Upper School Back-to-School Night, or if you would like a refresher, we invite you to click here to view the slides and access resources. 

Blood Drive

Our first Porter-Gaud Blood Drive will be Wednesday, September 30, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Students who are at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate. Sixteen-year-old donors require parent/guardian permission, and all student donors must complete the Porter-Gaud blood drive permission form. Students may donate only during a free period or lunch and may not miss class to donate. 

Service Opportunities

There are many ways for Upper School students to get involved in service! 

• Friday, September 18 - Prepare an Asian-themed dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. 
• Saturday, September 19 - Participate in the Nationwide Beach Sweep on Folly Beach from 10 a.m.–12 p.m., helping remove litter and debris from our local coastline. 
• Sunday, September 20, from 3–4 p.m. - Join Bouquets of Cheer for its first gathering of the year at the Stadium and create bouquets to brighten the day of patients at the VA hospital. 
• Thursday, September 24, from 11:10–11:45 a.m. at the Rev Statue - Stop by the Lowcountry Orphan Relief charitable bake sale. 
• Saturday, September 26, from 12:30–3:30 p.m. - Students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on service at a Habitat for Humanity work site (the location shared with participants). 

Updates from College Counseling

• New Resource: College Funding & Merit Aid Guidance: Porter-Gaud College Counseling has partnered with Paul Martin, founder of College Money Method, to provide families with expert guidance on college financing, merit scholarships, and financial planning. Access grade-specific toolkits, recorded sessions, and custom calculators on our dedicated Porter-Gaud Resource Center (password: pgscmm). Be sure to check the calendar for our upcoming live workshop series.
• Upcoming Workshop: Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships in Senior Year: Join us on Tuesday, September 22, at 7:00 p.m. for our next live virtual session tailored for senior families. Paul Martin will discuss the senior-year financial aid application process, including how to research and apply for merit aid, followed by a live 30-minute Q&A. Register and access live links via the Porter-Gaud Resource Center (password: pgscmm).
• On-Campus Visits: College representatives continue to visit campus throughout the fall, giving students an excellent opportunity to learn more about schools that interest them. Families can view all upcoming college visits. Unless otherwise noted, visits take place in the College Counseling Office.
• In-State College Night will take place Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper School Building. The program is open to all Upper School students and families and is an opportunity to learn more about college options here in South Carolina.

Message from the Nurse’s Office

• Save the Date – Flu Vaccination Clinics: Porter-Gaud will host two optional flu vaccination clinics this fall. Additional information, including consent forms and sign-up links, will be emailed in the coming weeks.
  • Parkwood Pediatrics - Friday, October 2, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Both the flu shot and FluMist nasal spray will be available.
  • Dottie’s Pharmacy - Friday, October 16, 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Food Allergy Awareness: Next week, Porter-Gaud will be recognizing Food Allergy Awareness Week! This is a great opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff to learn more about food allergies and the important role we all play in keeping members of our community with food allergies safe. 

Dining Update from Taher

Please click here to access menus. You can also follow Taher on Instagram (@taherpgdining).

This week, the power bowl station will be free of the top 9 allergens all week long in recognition of Allergy Awareness Week!

From the PGPA

• You're Invited: Coffee and Conversation: PGPA's Families for Cultural Engagement invites parents and caregivers in all divisions to Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday, September 22, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. in Washington Hall. The Dean of Wellness and our Lower, Middle, and Upper School Counselors will share strategies for tackling tough topics with our children—focusing on expectations, engagement, and resilience—followed by division-specific breakout sessions. 
• PGPA Concessions Sign Up: PGPA Fall Concessions are underway! Please click here to sign up for shifts and support our athletics teams. No experience necessary!
• Online Spirit Store: Stock up on your Cyclone gear!  Our online store is now open with fresh designs for the school year. 

Important Calendar Dates for Planning Purposes

• September 28-Oct 2: Spirit Week
• October 2: Homecoming Game
• October 3: Homecoming Dance
• October 5: Picture Retakes
• October 9: End of Quarter - No School for Students - Teacher Workday
• October 12-13: Fall Break - School Closed
• October 16: PSAT/NMSQT for 11th grade 
• October 19: Founders Day
• October 28: Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
• November 2: First Day of Winter Sports
• November 16: Junior College Night
• November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
• December 11: Holiday Assembly
• December 12: Lessons and Carols (Church of the Holy Communion)
• December 15: Upper School Fall Semester Exams A & B Blocks
• December 16: Upper School Fall Semester Exams C & D Blocks
• December 17: Upper School Fall Semester Exams E & F Blocks
• December 18: Upper School Fall Semester Exams G & Make Up Blocks
• December 19-January 3: Christmas Break
• January 4: Faculty Workday
• January 5: Classes Resume for Second Semester
• January 13: Sophomore College Night