Search the Community

Porter-Gaud is an Episcopal, coeducational, independent, college preparatory day school. We acknowledge the sovereignty of God, recognize the worth of the individual, and seek to cultivate a school community that endows its citizens with a foundation of moral and ethical character and intellect. Porter-Gaud fosters a challenging academic environment that honors excellence in teaching and learning, respects differences, expects honesty, and applauds achievement. The school strives to create an environment that nurtures and protects what we value most in our children: their faith, their curiosity, their talents, their integrity, their humanity, and their dreams. Our nurturing and stimulating environment features numerous hands-on, collaborative learning experiences. Classes are rooted in real life and build on our students' desire for active participation and their need for individualized attention and support. Our children grow up in a multicultural and globalized society, and Porter-Gaud gently prepares them to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. All Lower School students study Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, and character education is woven throughout our curriculum to reinforce positive behaviors and build good habits and strong character. Outside the classroom, students participate in our Extended Day Program, enroll in enrichment classes such as Lego Stop Motion Movie Making, Adventures in Engineering for Girls, and Robotics, and challenge themselves in developmental sports clinics. Students do not just succeed at Porter-Gaud; they thrive. We see the students both for who they are and with an optimistic lens, for whom they are becoming. We know our children. We know what makes them engaged at this crucial and impressionable age, what they dream of, and what challenges them. Our community embraces our heritage of perseverance and character from 1867, seeking ways to live out the philosophy. When our students complete their Middle School journey, we celebrate their grace, curiosity, and independence. As graduation approaches, students mature into confident, capable young adults with lifelong friendships, impressive academic footings, and concrete foundations of social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health. Our students leave aware of their gifts and talents and are passionate about sharing them with the world. Porter-Gaud School admits students without regard to race, sexual orientation, color, national, religious, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. The school does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, color, national, religious, or ethnic origin in administering its educational policies, tuition assistance programs, athletic, and other administered programs. Porter-Gaud is the only school in South Carolina to design a School of Character by the national Character.org organization. Our character education program has a positive impact on academics, student behavior, and school climate across all grades. Our school community values integrity, respect, patience, tolerance, and humility. Students engage with and learn from faculty members whose love for their subjects is infectious. Classes are interactive and discussion-based, so students do not just absorb ideas; they question them, define them in their terms, and apply them to their own lives. We recognize our students' strengths and challenges and tailor their experiences to their own needs and abilities. Porter-Gaud recognizes and celebrates the unique talents, abilities, and interests of every child. Working together in the classroom, on field trips, and in after-school activities provides boys and girls the opportunity to learn from each other intellectually and socially. We believe that co-education best prepares children for their future as compassionate, productive, and socially-aware citizens. View full school