Porter-Gaud School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked SC School
Grades: 1-12
Enrollment: 1,059 students
Yearly Tuition: $29,200
Application Deadline: Feb. 3 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Porter-Gaud School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Episcopal

Grades Offered

Grades 1-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Porter-Gaud School
1	71
2	69
3	71
4	72
5	77
6	83
7	90
8	89
9	112
10	113
11	110
12	102

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Year Founded

1867

School Motto

To inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service through cultivating each student's God-given potential.

Student Body

Total Students

1,059 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

10%

State avg.: 19%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

107 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

10:1

National avg.: 11:1

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Uniforms

Number of AP Courses

21 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP BiologyAP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BCAP Chemistry

AP ChineseAP Comparative Government

AP English LanguageAP English Literature

AP Environmental ScienceAP French Language

AP Government & CivicsAP Latin

AP MacroeconomicsAP Microeconomics

AP Music TheoryAP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Spanish LanguageAP Statistics

AP Studio ArtAP U.S. Government & Politics

AP U.S. HistoryAP World History

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School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
State or regional independent school association

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Feb. 3 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$29,200

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition varies by grade. Number above is for highest level.

Admissions Director

Ken Hyde

Admissions Associate

Lauren McClary

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$25 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

16 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

BowlingCheering

Cross CountryEquestrian

FootballGolf

LacrosseSailing

SoccerSwimming

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWrestling

School Mascot

Cyclones

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

10 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Book ClubChess Club

Community Service ClubForeign Language Clubs

Math ClubModel United Nations

Student CouncilYearbook

Arts and Music Programs:

ChoirTheater Program

School Notes

Porter-Gaud School is a coeducational, independent, college-preparatory, day school.
In accordance with our ties to the Episcopal Church, 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 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.

Porter-Gaud School is a coeducational, independent, college-preparatory, day school.
In accordance with our ties to the Episcopal Church, 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 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.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Khris Middleton '09 - Three-time NBA All-Star who won an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021.
- Sallie Krawcheck '83 - Financial feminist and CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, an innovative digital investment platform for women.
- Stephen Colbert '82 - TV personality, host of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and former host of Comedy Central's news satire The Colbert Report, a program where Colbert portrayed himself as a parody of conservative pundits.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Porter-Gaud School cost?

Porter-Gaud School's tuition is approximately $29,200 for private students.

Who are famous alumni from Porter-Gaud School?

Porter-Gaud School famous alumni include: Khris Middleton '09, Sallie Krawcheck '83 and Stephen Colbert '82.

What sports does Porter-Gaud School offer?

Porter-Gaud School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Cross Country, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Porter-Gaud School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for most sports offered.

What is Porter-Gaud School's ranking?

Porter-Gaud School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in South Carolina for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Porter-Gaud School?

The application deadline for Porter-Gaud School is Feb. 3 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 3 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is Porter-Gaud School located?

Porter-Gaud School is located in the West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston, SC. There are 11 other private schools located in West Ashley.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Charleston, SC is $18,549 for elementary schools and $21,454 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).