KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Welcome Back from Mrs. Davis
On behalf of the Upper School faculty and staff, welcome back to school! The excitement of a new year is visible across campus, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in this next stage of your child’s journey. High school is one of those rare times in life when students have the chance to explore so many different parts of themselves—their intellect, their creativity, their voice, and their friendships. Along the way, they will have moments that push them, moments that surprise them, and moments they will carry with them long after graduation. Our hope is that they will look for joy in all of these experiences, even when the path feels steep.
As we look ahead to the coming year, our commitment remains the same: to ensure that their time at Porter-Gaud equips them to navigate challenges with resilience and confidence. With our support and guidance, we hope they will discover their own paths to a life of purpose, lifelong learning, and dedicated service. While we cannot promise that there won’t be struggles, we can promise that they will not face them alone. They will always be Cyclones, and we will be with them every step of the way.
Week Ahead Email
Each Sunday, all Upper School students receive the Week Ahead email with important information for the upcoming week. Students are strongly encouraged to read this email. It is also posted in the Important Links on the Upper School landing page if parents and caregivers would like to access the information.
Daily Schedule
You can also create a custom schedule (link) using the instructions below:
- Make a copy of the file
- File > Make a Copy
- Click on the "Enter Classes" tab at the bottom
- Type classes into each block
- Click on the "A week" or "B Week" tab to see your personalized schedule
Absences, Late Arrivals, and Early Dismissal Changes
We use SchoolPass to help track absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals. This system allows you to make attendance and early dismissal changes for your child without having to call or email the office. New families should have received a temporary password and login credentials from SchoolPass. Returning families can use the same password as last year. If you need to reset your password, click here.
After a SchoolPass entry has been submitted, all students are required to sign in or out at the front desk anytime they are leaving campus or coming to campus between 8:20 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. Please refer to the Upper School Attendance Policy for more information.
Drop/Add Period
The Drop/Add period starts Monday, August 18, and ends August 29. Students will need to go to Mrs. Page to initiate the process.
Lockers
Any students in grades 10-12 who would like a locker should complete the locker request form no later than Friday, August 23. The link to the locker request form was shared with students in the Week Ahead Email.
2025-2026 Interdisciplinary Seminar Program
During the 2025-2026 school year, Porter-Gaud will offer bi-monthly seminars to engage sophomores, juniors, and seniors in rigorous, cross-disciplinary learning and enable them to explore real-world applications at the intersection of multiple fields of interest. Selectees will dedicate an hour each week to their seminar. For more details, please click here. Applications are due no later than Friday, August 15, at 9 a.m.
Carpool and Crosswalk Reminders
To help improve traffic flow with our ongoing chapel construction, please note an adjustment to our carpool procedures:
- All Upper School carpool traffic no longer needs to use the Stadium Drive to enter the carpool line from Albemarle Road or the Connector. Please proceed directly to Albemarle Road and stay to the left if possible, keeping the right lane open for Lower School traffic.
- For students who walk to school, we have one crosswalk for pedestrians to cross Albemarle Road, which is located by the student parking lot at the stadium. Students should not try to cross Albemarle Road at any other location for safety reasons.
- As a reminder, we kindly ask that you do not pick up your child anywhere else on or near campus except in the carpool lane.
You’re Invited: Learn about PG Campus Ministry and Vestry
Join us on Sunday, August 24, from 4-5 p.m. in Washington Hall to hear from our three chaplains as they share campus ministry opportunities and pray together for the year ahead.
- Hear how God is at work in our school
- Connect with our campus ministry programs
- Pray together for our students, teachers, and broader school community
Dining Update from Taher
We are excited to kickoff another year serving the students and families of Porter-Gaud School! Our lunch items will be prepared and served on‐site by your local food service team. Please click here to access menus. You can also follow us on Instagram (@taherpgdining).
Upper School Back-to-School Night, September 3, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Please join us on Wednesday, September 3, to meet your child’s teachers. The Upper School building will be open for you to tour, and all teachers will be available in the Upper School building for you to meet. Please arrive according to this schedule:
- Families with last names beginning A-K, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
- Families with last names beginning L-Z, 7:15 - 8 p.m.
Please arrive through the gate next to the Upper School building. Click here for a campus map. We look forward to seeing you!
Updates for Senior Families
- Senior College Night: Monday, August 25: Senior College Night will take place Monday, August 25, at 7 p.m. in Gwynette Auditorium. In this meeting, we will go over the application process and logistics, including all of the details seniors need to know. Attendance is mandatory for seniors, and we hope parents and caregivers will join us as well!
- Scheduling College Counseling Meetings: If you and/or your senior need to schedule a meeting with College Counseling, you can do so using the links below:
- Senior Privileges: If seniors attend all three upcoming events (Senior College Night, the required Senior Essay workshop on Friday, August 29, and Senior Day of Caring on September 8), we will begin senior privileges on Tuesday, September 9. These privileges allow seniors who have a free period in the block before or after the lunch block to sign out for lunch and return before the start of their next class. Seniors with a free period first may arrive late or may have early dismissal privilege when they have a free period last.
Updates from the PGPA
- Save the Date: Mark your calendars for the first PGPA meeting on Thursday, September 4, at 8:15 a.m. in Washington Dining Hall. All parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to attend. This meeting is a great way to learn about the many events and initiatives supported by the PGPA throughout the year.
- PGPA Merchandise: At CycloneTown, be sure to stop by the merchandise tent and stock up on your PG spirit wear!
- 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!
Important Calendar Dates for Planning Purposes
- August 18: Drop/Add Period Opens
- August 25: Senior College Night
- August 29: Drop/Add Closes
- September 1: Labor Day - School Closed
- September 3: Upper School Back-to-School Night
- September 8: Senior Day of Caring
- September 8: Picture Day
- September 9: Senior Privileges Begin
- September 15: Ninth Grade College Night
- September 15-19: Spirit Week
- September 19: Homecoming Game
- September 20: Homecoming Dance
- October 3: Picture Retakes
- October 10: End of Quarter - No School for Students - Teacher Workday
- October 13-14: Fall Break - School Closed
- October 17: PSAT/NMSQT for 11th grade
- October 31: Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School for Students
- November 1-2: Fall Play
- November 3: First Day of Winter Sports
- November 10: Junior College Night
- November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
- December 13: Lessons and Carols (Church of the Holy Communion)
- December 16: Upper School Fall Semester Exams A & B Blocks
- December 17: Upper School Fall Semester Exams C & D Blocks
- December 18: Upper School Fall Semester Exams E & F Blocks
- December 19: Upper School Fall Semester Exams G & Make Up Blocks
- December 20-January 4: Christmas Break
- January 5: Faculty Workday
- January 6: Classes Resume for Second Semester
- January 14: Sophomore College Night
We would love to discuss your place at Porter-Gaud.