Upper School Updates

_{KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS}

Our seniors enjoyed some time making holiday cards with their first-grade buddies today! Click here for more photos. 

Holiday Spirit Week
The Student Council is excited to announce Holiday Spirit Week, taking place from Monday, December 8, through Friday, December 12. We invite all students to participate and help us bring some extra seasonal cheer to campus.

• Monday, December 8 – Holiday Pajamas: Holiday-themed pajamas encouraged!
   
• Tuesday, December 9 – Blizzard Day: Think snow and ice—wear white and blue.
   
• Wednesday, December 10 – Winter Sport Wednesday: Dress like a skier, snowboarder, hockey player, or represent a winter sport like basketball.
   
• Thursday, December 11 – Holiday Character or Holiday Headwear: Dress as your favorite holiday movie/classic winter character (Frosty, Jack Frost, Santa, etc.) or wear festive/winter headwear.
   
• Friday, December 12 – Ugly Holiday Sweater: Time to show off your ugliest holiday sweater or any holiday sweater as we celebrate the season with the Holiday Assembly!

Participation is optional; students are welcome to join in as much (or as little) as they’d like, and a regular school uniform is always appropriate.

Exam Schedule

Upper School exams will take place on Tuesday, December 16, through Friday, December 19. 

• All classes will have a cumulative exam or other required activity during their assigned class block. The only time students will not need to attend is during their free block or study hall. 
• Students are expected to take each of their exams during the assigned blocks. If there is a valid reason for a student to move an exam, the student must reach out to Mr. Hilpert as soon as possible to ask for approval to move an exam. 
• Only seniors who have privileges may leave campus between the two exam blocks. 

Tuesday, December 16:

• 9:30–11:30 a.m. – A Block
• 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – B Block

Wednesday, December 17:

• 9:30–11:30 a.m. – C Block
• 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – D Block

Thursday, December 18:

• 9:30–11:30 a.m. – E Block
• 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – F Block

Friday, December 19:

• 9:30–11:30 a.m. – G Block
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – Make-Up Exams

Bus Schedule for Exams

• December 15: Regular schedule (not an exam day)
• December 16: Regular schedule (LS and MS have a full day)
• December 17: Regular schedule (9AM start on Wednesday; LS and MS have a full day)
• December 18: Regular schedule (LS and MS have a full day)
• December 19: Regular Friday morning schedule, noon return home (Exam make-up day for MS, LS is dismissed at 11:45 a.m.)

Athletic Recruitment 101
All Upper School students and parents are invited to hear from Coach TJ Kostecky, the head men’s soccer coach and assistant athletic director for leadership at Bard College, on Wednesday, December 10, from 7-8 p.m. in the Upper School Library. During his 30-plus-year career, Coach Kostecky has worked at six universities and served as a coach, athletic director, professor, author, and entrepreneur. Please click here to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Service Projects

• Toy Drive - Our 40th Annual Porter-Gaud Christmas Toy Drive is happening December 8–12. Students are invited to bring a new, unwrapped gift or toy (for children infants to age 14) and place it in the homeroom collection box. This year, there is a special need for essentials like toiletries and warm clothing, as well as gift cards for teenagers in foster care. Thank you for helping us share holiday joy with children and families in the Charleston area.
• Reindeer Run — Saturday, December 13 - Porter-Gaud will be running as a team in this year’s Reindeer Run, a fun, festive, and family-friendly 5K in downtown Charleston. If you’re in town on 12/13, join us for one of the best races of the year! Register under the team name Porter-Gaud School using the password Cyclones. Register Here.

Save the Date: Parent Webinar on January 13
Please save the date for the upcoming webinar, “Elevating Discipline with the Brain in Mind” on January 12, 2026, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. This event is being offered as part of The Parent Series, a year-long program offering six one-hour webinars designed for independent school parents and caregivers in all stages of their child’s growth. Click here for additional details on how to register, and keep an eye out for more information about an Parent Coffee event to follow on campus the week after the webinar.  

Dining Update from Taher
Please click here to see the menu for the upcoming week. You can also follow Taher on Instagram (@taherpgdining) or access menus online.

Updates from the PGPA

• Holiday Festival: Bring your family and friends and enjoy some holiday cheer this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wendell Center. The event promises gifts and excitement for everyone on your holiday list. Don’t miss Santa and his elves and snow much more! Click here to learn more. 
• PGPA Concessions Sign Up: Please click here to sign up for shifts and support our athletics teams. No experience necessary!
• Volunteer Opportunities: Click here to learn more about PGPA Volunteer Opportunities.

Important Calendar Dates for Planning Purposes

• December 10: Athletic Recruitment 101
• 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