OUR MISSION
To inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service through cultivating each student's God-given potential.
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU for being a part of this annual tradition of giving to Porter-Gaud School. On behalf of the Advancement office and Leadership team, we would like to sincerely thank our donors and volunteers listed in this report.
We could not do this work without you!
Greatest Need
Your gift supports Porter-Gaud’s highest priorities and provides the flexibility to direct budget dollars where they are needed most.
Faculty Support
Your gift supports the teachers who inspire and empower our students’ curiosity.
Innovation
Your gift supports our students’ exploration of technology and innovation.
Arts
Your gift supports our students’ creative expressions on stage and in the classroom.
Athletics
Your gift develops a program that is made up of scholar-athletes who possess the same values as our school.
Financial Aid
Your gift supports the economic diversity of our student body.
The Cyclone Fund
We're profoundly grateful for your decision to support the Cyclone Fund at Porter-Gaud. As the foundation of our school's philanthropic endeavors, your generosity not only enhances every corner of our campus but also upholds the excellence and accessibility of the Porter-Gaud experience.
In a world filled with worthy causes, your choice to invest in the Cyclone Fund is a testament to your commitment to our shared vision: To inspire lives of purpose, learning, and service through cultivating each student’s God-given potential. Your contributions are pivotal in nurturing the next wave of bold leaders poised to make a global impact.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey towards a brighter future.
Leveling the Field
The Lyceum, Equity and Inclusion, and College Planning Grants
Philanthropy at Porter-Gaud School is vital in leveling the playing field for all students, ensuring that those receiving financial aid can fully engage in their educational experience. The Equity and Inclusion Endowed Fund supports essential needs such as uniforms, class trips, and tutoring services through the Lyceum. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 670 tutoring sessions were funded by generous donors, making up about 10% of all sessions provided.
Since 2021, private funding has enabled the Lyceum to cover more than 1,500 tutoring sessions, offering crucial one-on-one assistance that fosters academic success. Angela McSwain, Director of the Lyceum, highlights the transformative impact of these services, noting the strong relationships formed and the positive outcomes achieved. “I am continuously amazed by this community’s generosity. I am very proud that we can offer tutoring services to all students. I have personally seen students reach their academic goals through consistent effort,” Angela expressed.
Additionally in the 2023-2024 academic year, grants for college planning were provided to eligible students who receive more than 60% financial aid, helping them cover application fees, SAT/ACT test prep, and travel for school visits. With grant amounts ranging from $1,200 to $1,500, many students experienced significant improvements in their college preparation, including boosted SAT scores. One parent said, “The grant helped us be able to apply for colleges we may not have been able to, and we were able to take a multi-night trip to visit three schools.”
This philanthropic support not only enhances academic opportunities but also creates a more equitable and inclusive environment at Porter-Gaud, empowering every student to thrive.
Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation StarLab
Imagine stepping into a world where learning transcends the confines of traditional classrooms – where the curriculum comes alive with boundless possibilities. StarLabs are portable and immersive planetariums that enable students to embark on journeys through realms of knowledge spanning astronomy, geology, physical geography, and beyond.
Thanks to the generosity of the Yaschik Foundation, Porter-Gaud received a new interactive StarLab in the 2023-2024 school year. It is a dynamic tool that adapts seamlessly to the diverse needs and grade levels of our 1st through 12th grade student body. From the youngest learners to the most advanced scholars, this planetarium offers flexibility and instruction tailored to every individual. Students can embark on interactive simulations of astronomical phenomena, exploring the depths of the cosmos with a level of detail that was once unimaginable.
For many years, the Yaschik Foundation has been instrumental in bolstering Porter-Gaud School's reputation as an outstanding institution fostering robust student leadership. The addition of the Henry & Sylvia Yaschik Foundation StarLab will not only enrich the educational experiences of our current students but will continue to inspire and empower future generations of Cyclones.
Professional Development for Teachers
Thanks to a generous gift from a current Porter-Gaud family, our faculty was offered three exceptional professional learning opportunities in the summer of 2024. These experiences were designed to provide space away from daily tasks, ample opportunities for collaboration and practice, clear objectives, and room for mistakes and reflection—much like how we want our students to learn.
Throughout the summer, five individual teams of Lower School teachers crafted innovative project-based learning units, connecting content to real-world applications. This approach enhances students' problem-solving and critical thinking skills, reflecting the engaging, hands-on learning we strive to offer our students.
In July, with guidance from the Nobis Project, fifteen of our faculty and staff gathered to learn about the pillars of experiential learning and its impacts on student learning. This collaboration focused on building community partnerships and utilizing design thinking to create meaningful learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Enhanced local Winterim experiences were a direct result of these three days.
Finally, late this summer, Upper School faculty gathered to learn about backward planning design with McTighe and Associates. Faculty collaborated to design new units or revise existing ones using clear objectives and intentional checks for understanding to ensure deeper student learning and engagement.
Philanthropic support has empowered us to invest in professional learning that mirrors our educational philosophy, fostering an environment where teachers feel valued, supported, and equipped to drive excellence.
PGAA Endowed Scholarship Milestone
In 2024, the Porter-Gaud Alumni Scholarship Endowment achieved a significant milestone, surpassing $527,000 in the endowment balance. This success is attributed to the generosity of our alumni as well as proceeds from the Alumni Golf Classic each year. Established in 2001, the Alumni Scholarship Endowment aims to make a Porter-Gaud education accessible for the children and grandchildren of alumni. Through this scholarship, the Alumni Association seeks to enhance and maintain the bond between alumni and the school, while fostering a legacy of scholarship and service that spans generations.
For the 2024-25 school year, we are proud to support four scholarship recipients. In addition to being children of alumni, these scholars demonstrate humble leadership through service to others and exhibit good character. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our alumni for their contributions in establishing and sustaining this important scholarship.
Athletic Facilities Improvements: A Look at the 2023-2024 Enhancements
The 2023-2024 school year at Porter-Gaud School has marked a significant milestone in the advancement of the school’s athletic infrastructure. Thanks to the generosity of donors and the commitment to enhancing student-athlete experiences, several key improvements have been made to the school's athletic facilities. Among the most notable upgrades are the resurfacing of the tennis courts, the installation of a new baseball batting and pitching cage, and the overhaul of the lighting and sound system at Wendell Stadium. These enhancements not only support the physical development of students but also reinforce the school's tradition of excellence in athletics.
Wendell Center Sound and Lights
The Wendell Center, the heart of Porter-Gaud’s indoor athletic events, also received a major upgrade in the form of new lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system. Whether it's for a basketball or volleyball game or even a special event, the improved lighting and audio systems ensure that every fan and participant can see and hear important information and enjoy the full atmosphere of the event.
Tennis Court Resurfacing
This past year, the tennis courts received a much-needed facelift, with resurfacing efforts designed to improve playability, safety, and aesthetics. The new surface offers a more consistent bounce and enhanced traction, ensuring that players can perform at their best without the risk of injury from worn-out surfaces. This upgrade ensures that our tennis teams have access to a top-tier environment for training and matches.
Covered Batting and Pitching Cage
For the baseball program, one of the most exciting additions to the athletic facilities is the new batting and pitching cage. The state-of-the-art facility provides student-athletes with a dedicated space for batting practice, pitching drills, and other key aspects of baseball training. Having this new resource allows athletes to practice more efficiently and safely, especially during the off-season or in inclement weather. It will also be invaluable in helping the school’s baseball teams maintain their competitive edge and continue to excel in league play.
These enhancements to Porter-Gaud’s athletic facilities would not have been possible without the generous contributions of the school’s donors. The investments made by alumni, parents, and friends of the school, as well as the Porter-Gaud Parent Association, highlight the strong sense of community that surrounds Porter-Gaud, and the shared commitment to providing the best resources for student development—both academically and athletically.
The WATCH Tower Society
The Watch Tower Society includes donors who have made a planned gift in their estate to Porter-Gaud.
To learn more about planned giving and the WATCH Tower Society, please visit the website.
The Porter-Gaud Parent Association
"The strength of Porter-Gaud lies not just in its academic rigor, but in the sense of community that we build together. I am deeply grateful to the members of the Porter-Gaud Parent Association for their tireless dedication, countless volunteer hours, and unwavering support in shaping an environment where every student and family feels connected and valued. Your hard work plays a vital role in creating a school culture rooted in collaboration, service, and spirit.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the O'Quinn Parents Guild and to all of the families who give their time and energy to making both O'Quinn campuses so special. Your efforts help ensure that our youngest Cyclones experience the same warmth, support, and community spirit that we cherish throughout the entire Porter-Gaud family.
Together, we are not only building a school, but fostering a legacy of purpose, learning, and service for generations to come."
— D. DuBose Egleston, Jr. '93, Head of School
The mission of the PGPA is to:
- Build community among families through special events and volunteer opportunities.
- Provide families with information and resources helpful to parenting.
- Raise funds that support school programs and our faculty and staff.
For more information on how you can volunteer with the Porter-Gaud Parent Association, please visit the website.
Porter-Gaud Advancement Team
The Porter-Gaud Advancement team is an arm of Porter-Gaud School, and their primary focus is fulfilling the fundraising needs of the school. Philanthropy has played a significant role in the development of our campus and the growth of our dynamic student experience. Generous contributions from parents, alumni, grandparents, past parents, and friends who believe in the power of a Porter-Gaud education have helped to create and sustain our unique and vibrant learning community.