Upper School Updates

_{KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS}

We were thrilled to have our ninth graders join us on campus Monday following last week's Ninth Grade Retreat at Camp Timberlake in Western North Carolina While there, students took time to reflect on who they are and who they want to be as they begin their Upper School journey together. See more retreat photos here. 

Service Fair
Service is central to Porter-Gaud's mission. On Monday, August 31, the Service Fair will introduce students to 26 different projects—covering food insecurity, tutoring, environmental care, and more—where they can meet leaders and sign up.

While participation is entirely optional, we encourage students to explore issues that spark their genuine interest and build meaningful community connections. Weekly updates and project highlights will be shared throughout the year in the student Week Ahead and Parent Update.

Carpool and Crosswalk Reminders
Below are a few important carpool and safety reminders: 

• Please remind your student to use the crosswalk in front of the chapel when coming to campus. 
• Please refrain from cell phone use during morning and afternoon carpool and stay alert to prevent unnecessary delays. 
• Due to limited space for early arrivals in the afternoon, please do not arrive before 3 p.m. for Middle School carpool or before 3:15 p.m. for Upper School carpool. 
• Please pull forward to ensure we are using the entire carpool loop.
• Ensure your child is loaded into the car from the curb side only.
• Get students loaded quickly so the vehicles can leave in a timely manner.
• Be ready to depart when student(s) are loaded/unloaded.
• Please do not drop off or pick up in any nearby parking lots or on the road. 

College Visits
Upcoming college visits will be listed each week in both the student Week Ahead email and the weekly parent update. Ms. Wingfield will also send students a Remind message each morning with that day’s scheduled visits.

A few important reminders for families:

• Juniors and seniors may attend a college visit during class with permission from their teacher. Students must first pick up an orange permission slip from College Counseling and have it signed by the teacher whose class they would miss.
• Sophomores may attend visits during a free period or lunch.
• Students must be in dress code to attend a visit.

These visits are a valuable opportunity for students to learn directly from admission representatives, ask questions, and begin building familiarity with colleges and universities that may be of interest. We also remind students that these meetings are an opportunity to represent both themselves and Porter-Gaud well.

Monday, August 24

• University of Tennessee: 1:00–1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 25

• Hampden-Sydney College: 9:15–9:45 a.m.

Wednesday, August 26

• University of Tampa: 9:15–9:45 a.m.
• University of St Andrews: 10:00–10:30 a.m.

Thursday, August 27

• Clemson University: 9:15–9:45 a.m.

If you have any questions about visits, please feel free to contact the College Counseling Office.

Study Trips
We are excited to offer four international study trips for the 2026–27 school year:

• Honduras: Service learning and Spanish language
• Barbados: Historical Carolinas/Barbados connection
• Rome, Italy: Latin-focused study
• Paris & Lacoste, France: Art-focused experience

Key Details

• Trip Info & Costs: Please review full details, dates, and projected costs here.
• Virtual Information Sessions: Google Meets will be held next week for each trip. Click here to learn more. 
• Financial Assistance: Limited aid is available. Contact Dr. Yerko Sepúlveda at ysepulveda@portergaud.edu for details.
• Lunch & Learn: Interested students can attend an info session on Friday, August 21, during lunch in the Upper School Library. 

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! 

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. 

Updates for Senior Families

• Senior College Night: This event will take place 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 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: 
  • Mrs. Brown
  • Ms. Harris
  • Mrs. LeBlanc
     
• 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.

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

Uniform Discounts
French Toast is offering the following discounts: 

• August 18-20 | 30% OFF Select Styles + 20% OFF Merchandise
• August 25-30 | 30% OFF Merchandise

Click here to access the PG store on the French Toast site. 

Lands’ End is offering the following discounts: 

• 25% off select school uniform styles through August 25. 
• 20% starting on September 2 

Click here to access the PG store on the Lands End site. 

From the PGPA

• Fall Meeting: Please join us for our Fall PGPA Meeting on Thursday, September 10, at 8:15 a.m. in Washington Hall. We’ll share our goals for the school year, highlight upcoming events, and review volunteer opportunities. There is truly no shortage of ways to get involved!
• Online Spirit Store: Stock up on your Cyclone gear! Our online store is now open with fresh designs for the school year. PG spirit wear will also be available for purchase at Cyclonetown.
• Save the Date – Father’s Night Out: Enjoy an evening with fellow PG dads on Wednesday, September 9, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Munkle Brewing Co. (1513 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29405). 
• 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 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