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 to one another 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
Click here to access the A & B Week schedules.
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 17, and ends August 26 for semester courses and August 28 for year long courses. 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.
2026-27 Interdisciplinary Seminar Program
Each year, we 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. Selected students will dedicate an hour each week to their seminar. For more details, please click here. Applications are due no later than Friday, August 14, at 9 a.m.
Carpool and Crosswalk Reminders
To help improve traffic flow on campus, please take a moment to review our carpool reminders here.
Dining Update from Taher
We are excited to kick off 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 2, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Please join us on Wednesday, September 2, to meet your child’s teachers. The Upper School building and the Chapel 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.
We look forward to seeing you!
Updates for Senior Families
- Senior College Night: Mark your calendars for Monday, August 24, at 7 p.m. in St. Timothy’s Chapel. We will review 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 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 14, and Senior Day of Caring on September 11), we will begin senior privileges on Tuesday, September 15. These privileges allow seniors who have a free period on Tuesday - Friday to sign out 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
- 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 17: Drop/Add Period Opens
- August 21: CycloneTown
- August 24: Senior College Night
- August 26: Drop/Add Closes for Semester Classes
- August 28: Drop/Add Closes for Year-Long Classes
- September 2: Upper School Back-to-School Night
- September 7: Labor Day - School Closed
- September 11: Senior Day of Caring
- September 14: Picture Day
- September 14: Ninth Grade College Kickoff
- September 15: Senior Privileges Begin
- September 16: HBCU Breakfast
- 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
We would love to discuss your place at Porter-Gaud.