Upper School Updates

_{KEY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS}

Last week, we wrapped up our fifth annual Porter-Gaud National History Day! Once again, the judges—a combination of local archivists, former teachers and administrators, and current board members, parents, and PG staff—were impressed by our students’ enthusiasm, curiosity, historical argument, and creativity. We look forward to sharing the names of the students advancing to the NHD State Competition in a few weeks. 

Holiday Spirit Week
On Friday, December 12, we will conclude our holiday spirit week and show off our best holiday sweater as we celebrate the season with the Holiday Assembly! We invite all students to help us bring some extra seasonal cheer to campus. Participation is optional; a regular school uniform is always appropriate.

Updates for Senior Families
Please review these important updates below: 

• Holiday Assembly. This year's holiday assembly will take place on Friday, December 12, at 2:15 p.m. in the Wendell Center. All students are encouraged to wear festive attire, and all senior parents are invited to attend the assembly. If you plan to attend, please park in the Lower School parking lot and enter through the gate by the Lower School front office.
• Graduation Announcements. For more information about graduation announcements, please click here. The deadline for ordering is December 18. 
• Senior Yearbook Ads. The deadline for senior ads is January 31. If you'd like to purchase a senior yearbook ad, please click here. ​​Prices are as follows:
  • Full-page - $595
  • Half-page - $350
  • Quarter-page - $250

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 (9 a.m. 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
Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s Athletic Recruitment 101 session. If you weren’t able to attend or would like a refresher, you can view the information that was shared via the links below: 

• Slide Deck
• Handout

Service Projects

• Toy Drive - Our 40th Annual Porter-Gaud Christmas Toy Drive concludes on December 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 - Porter-Gaud will run 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 December 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.  

Uniform Savings
Lands End is offering 25% off uniform styles through December 17. Click here for more information. 

Dining Update from Taher
Next week, our menu will be the chef's choice! Click here to view the menu for January 6-9. You can also follow Taher on Instagram (@taherpgdining) or access menus online.

Updates from the PGPA

• 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 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
• January 19: MLK, Jr. Day - School Closed
• January 24: Semi-Formal
• January 26: Spring Sports Begin
• February 16-17: Winter Break - School Closed
• February 26 - March 1: US Musical
• March 6: Pre-ACT (10th grade) & PSAT 8/9 (9th Grade)
• March 10: Parent coffee 10th-12th grade scheduling
• March 25: Conference Day
• April 3: Good Friday - School Closed
• April 4-12: Spring Break
• April 18: Prom
• April 26: Spring Arts Festival
• May 1: Senior College T-Shirt Day
• May 4 - 15: AP Exams
• May 13-15: Senior Exams
• May 18: Senior Milestone Dinner (6 p.m.)
• May 19: Senior Breakfast, Graduation Practice, Unity Assembly
• May 21: Baccalaureate (5 p.m. - Church of the Holy Communion)
• May 23: Graduation (6:30 p.m.)
• May 26: Upper School Fall Semester Exams G & F Blocks
• May 27: Upper School Fall Semester Exams E & D Blocks
• May 28: Upper School Fall Semester Exams C & B Blocks
• May 29: Upper School Fall Semester Exams A & Make Up Blocks