SCHOO
Partnering with Our Families
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Porter-Gaud community. Active and engaged parents who champion the mission and vision of our school enhance the Porter-Gaud experience. You are critical to our continued success!
I encourage you to actively participate in school life through our Parent Association in a way that fits your interests and availability. Just as each child’s Porter-Gaud experience is unique, the variety of opportunities for your involvement will enable you to have your own distinct experience as part of our community.
Thank you for the confidence that you place in us by entrusting your children to Porter-Gaud, and I look forward to partnering with you in the years to come.
Sincerely,
D. DuBose Egleston Jr. ’93, Head of School
Mission Statement
To inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service through cultivating each student’s God-given potential.
Vision Statement
To serve as a leader in faith, honor, and knowledge in our community and the world.
WATCH Prayer
May our WORDS be full of truth and kindness, our ACTIONS gracious and honorable, our THOUGHTS unselfish and charitable, our CHARACTER noble and upright, and our HABITS virtuous, so that our school family may grow in FAITH, HONOR, and KNOWLEDGE as we WATCH together in all things.
D. DuBose Egleston, Jr. ’93
Head of School
843.402.4677 degleston@portergaud.edu
Audrey Holsten
Assistant Head for Academics
843.402.4777
aholsten@portergaud.edu
Craig Stewart
Director of Advancement
843.402.4690 cstewart@portergaud.edu
Silvia Davis
Upper School Head
843.402.4838 sdavis@portergaud.edu
Brent Hilpert
Assistant Head of Upper School
Upper School Dean of Students
843.402.4707 bhilpert@portergaud.edu
Divisional Offices
Dana Cadden
US | 843.402.4776 | dcadden@portergaud.edu
Julia Hawkins
MS | 843.402.4772 | jhawkins@portergaud.edu
Kim Doyle LS | 843.402.4768 | kdoyle@portergaud.edu
Nurse (Medical Needs, Medications, Health Questions)
Anna Smith
843.402.4790 | adsmith@portergaud.edu
Advancement
Lisa Ward
843.402.4754 | lward@portergaud.edu
Athletics
Al Wilson
MS & US | 843.402.4721 | awilson@portergaud.edu
Community Engagement & Wellness
Yerko Sepúlveda, PhD
843.402.4767 | ysepulveda@portergaud.edu
Communications
Cathi Hilpert
843.402.4811 | chilpert@portergaud.edu
Food Service
Nick Weimer
843.402.4712 | nweimer@portergaud.edu
Chaplains
Ken Hyde
Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management and Parent Relations
843.402.4775 khyde@portergaud.edu
Michael Wright, Ed.D Middle School Head
843.402.4695 mwright@portergaud.edu
Chris Weaver
Assistant Head of Middle School
843.402.4759 cweaver@portergaud.edu
Michael Page
Lower School Head
843.402.4780 mpage@portergaud.edu
Babette Hamilton
Assistant Head of Lower School 843.402.4789 bhamilton@portergaud.edu
Palmer Kennedy US | 843.402.4689 | pkennedy@portergaud.edu
Abbie Panuccio MS | 843.402.4899 | apanuccio@portergaud.edu
David Rowe LS | 843.402.4822 | drowe@portergaud.edu
Counseling & Student Wellness Services
Liz Boeschen US/Wellness | 843.402.4855 | lboeschen@portergaud.edu
Andy Christopherson US | 843.402.4824 | achristopherson@portergaud.edu
Flo Sanders MS | 843.402.4683 | fsanders@portergaud.edu
Deen Wey LS | 843.402.4836 | dwey@portergaud.edu
Billing/Financial Aid
Margie Stanbrook
843.402.4681 | mstanbrook@portergaud.edu
Extended Day/Camp Cyclone
Joey Ferrelli 843.402.4666 | jferrelli@portergaud.edu
Campus Security 843.532.4259
Communications and Family Resources
Open and timely communication is an important component of the school-family partnership. Our goal is to ensure that you are well-informed and engaged with the daily life at the school, and we have established a variety of methods for you to stay connected.
MyPG/Family Portal
Information families need to find on the website are located in the “For Our Families” section of the website.
Log in to MyPG to access your student’s schedule, report cards, announcements, calendars, and the all-school directory.
Weekly division updates are sent every Thursday, and will direct you to the website for up-to-date information.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
In the event of an emergency, Porter-Gaud will send a text message through our automated system. We use this same system to communicate with families when school is delayed or closed due to inclement weather. Every fall, we send an email with instructions for setting up your emergency contact information.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay up to date with current school news, photos, events, and announcements by following Porter-Gaud on:
portergaudschool
@portergaud | @pg_cyclones
portergaudcyclones
Porter-Gaud School
pictures.portergaud.edu
Family Partnership
Porter-Gaud and its parents and caregivers work together to create and sustain effective and meaningful partnerships. A positive and constructive relationship between our families and the school enhances and benefits our students’ educational experience and our community. The following principles are the building blocks of trust and transparency and reflect the values of respect, accountability, and inclusivity of our school family. Below are the respective roles and responsibilities of both partners*.
Porter-Gaud’s Partnership with Parents and Caregivers
• We recognize that effective partnerships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of communication, and mutual respect.
• We seek and value the family’s perspective on the student.
• Our teachers and administrators are accessible to families and model candid and open dialogue.
• We strive to keep our families well informed through systematic reports, conferences, communications, and informal conversations.
• We offer and support a variety of education opportunities and ways for parents and caregivers to partner in the educational process.
Parent and Caregiver Partnership with Porter-Gaud
• Our parents and caregivers recognize that effective partnerships are characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, a shared commitment to collaboration, open lines of communication, and mutual respect.
• Families are familiar with and support the school’s policies and procedures.
• Our families should seek and value the school’s perspective on the student and are open to listen even when opinions differ.
• Parents and caregivers are encouraged to share feedback with their child’s teacher or advisor. A full list of contacts can be found on page 4.
*Modeled after National Association of Independent Schools’ Principles of Good Practices.
Community Events
The Porter-Gaud calendar is full of opportunities to connect with other families on campus. In addition to the many arts and athletic events throughout the year, there are also occasions to bring together our entire community. Here are some of these events:
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Back-to-School Night provides important start-of-school information and gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to ask questions and meet teachers.
CYCLONETOWN
Porter-Gaud hosts an all-community picnic in conjunction with a varsity athletic event. The evening kicks off the school year and includes food, music, and activities.
DAY4PG
A day for our school family to come together to celebrate being a Cyclone and show our belief in the Porter-Gaud experience! You can show your PG pride online and on campus.
FOUNDERS DAY
An annual concert held in late October that features the musical talent of our choirs and instrumental ensembles across all three divisions. The concert’s origins can be traced back to 1978.
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Our annual carnival is held on the practice field. The event includes games, activities, and a parade matching up the first grade and seniors.
FAMILY SOCIALS AND GATHERINGS
Casual, grade-level parent/caregiver gatherings are held throughout the year and are hosted at restaurants, parks, or on campus. Details will be sent out through Evites and emails closer to these events.
HOLIDAY MARKET
The Porter-Gaud Parent Association hosts a holiday market, filled with local artisans and vendors. Some of our choirs also perform.
LESSONS & CAROLS
A service of nine lessons and carols held each year to mark the beginning of the holiday season. The service features choirs, brass quintet, and handbells. It is held at Church of the Holy Communion.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Porter-Gaud hosts several musical performances during the year – one by our US and MS students, and four by our LS students (all in Gwynette Auditorium).
PGPA SPRING PARTY
This event is one of the largest social gatherings of the year for Porter-Gaud parents and caregivers and raises funds for the Parent Association and the School.
SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL
Hear performances from choirs from each division, handbells, and the jazz band. Visual art from students at every grade level are on display.
The US Musical, Mamma Mia!
Philanthropy at Porter-Gaud
At Porter-Gaud, philanthropy is more than a tradition—it’s the foundation that keeps our community strong. Every gift makes a direct impact on the student experience, from the classroom to the stage, from the athletic fields to service projects.
Like many independent schools, tuition covers only part of the true cost of a Porter-Gaud education. The Cyclone Fund—our annual fund—bridges that gap, ensuring the Porter-Gaud experience remains exceptional for every student.
When you give to the Cyclone Fund, you’re not just supporting a program or facility—you’re helping every student, every teacher, every day. It’s the most powerful way to ensure that moments at Porter-Gaud continue to inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service.
We’re here to help you find the giving path that’s right for your family—whether through the Cyclone Fund, targeted support for a passion area, or a legacy gift that will benefit generations to come.
Advancement Staff
Craig Stewart, Director of Advancement | 843.402.4690 | cstewart@portergaud.edu
Michael Abro, Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement | 843.402.4863 | mabro@portergaud.edu
Brian Beck, Director of Annual Giving | 843.402.4803 | bbeck@portergaud.edu
Kendra Conway, Donor Relations Manager | 843.402.4852 | kconway@portergaud.edu
Kathryn Sherrod, Director of Leadership Giving | 843.402.4685 | ksherrod@portergaud.edu
Lisa Ward, Director of Individual and Legacy Giving | 843.402.4754 | lward@portergaud.edu
Kenton Youngblood, Director of Advancement Services | 843.402.4686 | kyoungblood@portergaud.edu
Mike Olson, Advancement Services Manager | 843.402.4734 | molson@portergaud.edu
For more information on giving and the impact of philanthropy at Porter-Gaud, please visit portergaud.edu/giving and portergaud.edu/impact-report or contact our Advancement Staff
Porter-Gaud Terms & Landmarks
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE: The group dedicated to raising money for the betterment of Porter-Gaud and its students.
ALBEMARLE POINT CENTRE: The office building where the Advancement, Business, and Communications offices are located.
ATHLETICS: Porter-Gaud offers more than 80 team sports at the bantam, junior varsity, and varsity levels. For more information about our athletics program, visit portergaud.edu/athletics.
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS: After-school care, enrichment, and summer camps for Porter-Gaud students (portergaud.edu/auxiliary-programming).
CAMP CYCLONE: Summer camp program held on campus led by our Auxiliary team.
CARPOOL DROP-OFF: Lower School student dropoff occurs in front of the Lower School between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m. and pickup is between 2:55 and 3:15 p.m., except on Wednesdays when drop-off is between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. Middle School student drop-off occurs between 7:30 and 7:55 a.m., except on Wednesdays when drop-off is between 8:30 and 8:55 a.m. and pickup is between 3:10 and 3:30 p.m. Upper School student drop-off occurs between 8 and 8:15 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and between 8:40 and 8:55 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Pickup is between 3:20 and 3:40 p.m.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & BELONGING: PorterGaud actively works to gain a deeper understanding of difference through openness, curiosity, and empathy and embraces diverse cultures, ideas, and backgrounds to broaden and enrich who we are.
CYCLONE: The Porter-Gaud mascot.
DRESS DOWN DAY: Special day during which students may attend school out of uniform.
EPISCOPAL IDENTITY: Porter-Gaud seeks to be a community that celebrates and worships God as the center of life and loves our neighbors as ourselves, serving Christ in all persons, striving for justice and peace, and respecting the dignity of every human being.
EXTENDED DAY: An extended care program offered for students in Grades K-8 from 3–5:45 p.m.
GARNET AND GREY: Porter-Gaud school colors.
GWYNETTE AUDITORIUM: Home of all school assemblies, Chapel, student clubs, and parent meetings located on the back of campus.
LYCEUM: The learning center at Porter-Gaud. The Lyceum offers tutoring in multiple subjects, exam preparation, and SAT and ACT preparation.
O’QUINN SCHOOLS OF PORTER-GAUD: We have campuses in Mt. Pleasant and James Island for our age two - kindergarten program.
PORTER-GAUD: Founded by The Rev. Dr. Anthony Toomer Porter in 1867 as the Holy Communion Church Institute, the school was renamed Porter Military Academy in 1874. The school merged with the Gaud School and Watt School in 1964 and became PorterGaud School.
S&T BUILDING: The Science & Technology Building (with the clock tower) is home to Middle School administration, 7th and 8th grade classrooms, and Middle School and Upper School science labs.
SCISA: Porter-Gaud belongs to the South Carolina Independent School Association.
THE GREEN: Green space located at the heart of campus used as a gathering and event space.
THE REV: The statue of The Rev. Dr. Anthony Toomer Porter, donated by the Porter Military Academy Alumni Association, located in the courtyard between the Wendell Center and the Upper School.
TYLER HALL: The current home of the 5th and 6th grade classrooms.
WASHINGTON HALL: The dining hall and meeting space for events. Named for the Washington family, long-standing employees of PMA and Porter-Gaud.
W.A.T.C.H.: The acronym stands for Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character, Habits. These are the ideals The Rev. Dr. Anthony Toomer Porter set over 150 years ago.
WINTERIM: Middle School experiential and service-learning programs that take place in February. Students choose from local, national, and international options.
The Porter-Gaud Parent Association
The Porter-Gaud experience is enhanced when our parents share their talents and time with our community. Whether attending events, taking a leadership role as a grade-level representative, or joining one of our committees, we encourage you to find what interests you and get involved.
PARENT ASSOCIATION
STEWARDSHIP
Athletics Support
Arts Support
Cyclone Fund
Teacher & Student Funds
PORTER-GAUD PARENT ASSOCIATION
The PGPA is designed to build community within our school family so every student, parent, caregiver, and faculty member feels connected.
All Porter-Gaud parents are encouraged to be actively involved in the life of the school through the PGPA in a way that fits their interests and availability.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
CycloneTown
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Grade-level Representatives
Community Support Committee
Halloween Carnival
Holiday Market
Moms in Prayer
Parent Socials
Spring Party
TEACHING & L GNINRAE
WATCH Family Ambassadors
TEACHING & LEARNING
Character Development College Readiness
Cyclone Speaker Series
Technology Deep Dives
Teacher Grant Opportunities
How to volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering, visit the PGPA webpage at portergaud.edu/pgpa. You have the opportunity to volunteer in a way that fits your interests and availability.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Sell merchandise at a school event.
Be a grade-level representative.
Volunteer at the Holiday Market.
Work the concession stand at a sporting event.
Volunteer at the Halloween Carnival.
Join Moms in Prayer.
Help organize family learning opportunities.
Participate in Faculty/Staff Appreciation.
Join a community support committee.
Organize a social.
Volunteer for the Spring Party.