Lower School (Grades 1-4) Application Steps
Welcome! We are glad you are here. Below are the steps to apply for our Lower School. Please note that in order to be considered in the annual decision round, all steps must be completed by Friday, February 5, 2027. We offer Lower School parent visits in October, November, and January, and Lower School testing is offered in December and January, depending on the grade. Registration closes a couple of weeks prior to each testing date, so it is best to register before the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We hope to see you soon!
| Submit an Online Inquiry |
An Online Inquiry Form can be submitted below:
Online Inquiry Form |
| Attend a Lower School Parent Visit & Campus Tour Session |
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These small-group, parent-only events include a campus tour and are hosted by Lauren McClary, Director of Lower School Admission. These events take place through the fall and winter. We can’t wait to welcome you to campus!
Dates:
- Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
- Monday, October 26, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, January 7, 2027, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Click here to register. (For families not at O'Quinn)
For parents of first grade applicants currently at O'Quinn:
- Thursday, October 8, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Click here to register. (For O'Quinn families)
Out of town families who cannot make it to a Lower School Parent Visit Session are invited to attend an individual parent meeting with Lauren McClary, Director of Lower School Admission.
To schedule, please contact Kathleen Beck at 843.402.4726 or kbeck@portergaud.edu.
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| Complete the Admission Application |
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After sumbitting, please allow one business day for our team to process the application. After processing, the system will generate your child's Online Checklist, from which you can complete additional required steps.
Complete the Admission Application
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| Review Tuition/Fees and Financial Aid |
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Please take a moment to review our current Tuition and Fees, and familiarize yourself with the Financial Aid process if you plan to apply.
Please note that the tuition and fees will be updated to reflect the 2027-2028 school year in late January 2027.
Tuition and Fees information
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| Send the Teacher Recommendation Form |
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After completing the admission application, parents can log in to the parent portal, and click on 'View Checklist' to send our specific recommendation form electronically to your child's current homeroom teacher. We kindly ask that parents wait to send this form until November or December.
(For O'Quinn families applying to first grade: The Admission Team will take care of this step for you. We will send the form to your child's teacher and check it as completed on the Online Checklist once we have received it.)
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| Release of Records |
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We will post the link to the Release of Records Form on January 5, 2027. This form gives the school your authorization to send records to us. At that time, you will be able to print and fill out the form, then send it to your child's school (provided the second quarter is complete). We ask that parents do not send this form to their child's school until the second quarter has finished.
(For O'Quinn families applying to first grade: The Admission Team will take care of this step for you. We will request the records from your child's teacher at O'Quinn, and we will check it as completed on the Online Checklist once we have received the records.)
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| Register for our Admission Assessment (includes a campus tour for students) |
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Candidates for Rising 1st Grade:
- We administer the OLSAT to applicants for rising first grade. The cost of the OLSAT is included in the first grade application fee.
- Non-O'Quinn applicants: Admission testing for rising 1st grade is offered on Wednesday, January 20, 2027, 8:30-10 a.m. and Thursday, January 21, 2027, 9-10:30 a.m.
- O'Quinn applicants: The Admission Team will administer testing at the O'Quinn locations in January, during the school day. Once we have received the results, we will check testing as complete in the Online Checklist. O'Quinn families do not need to register for testing.
Click here to register for the date of your choice (For Non-O'Quinn applicants)
Candidates for Rising 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grades:
- Applicants to rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade sit for the ISEE Primary. A separate registration fee is charged at the time of online registration through ISEE by ERB.
- Admission testing for the rising 2nd grade is offered on Thursday, January 28, 2027. To register, use the ISEE link below, and select "Create an Account" or "log in". Select “I have an event or walk-in code”, and enter event code ZVCXLELK.
- Admission testing for the rising 3rd grade is offered on Tuesday, December 15, 2026 and Tuesday, January 26, 2027. To register, use the ISEE link below, and select “Create an Account” or “log in”. Select “I have an event or walk-in code”, and enter event code HBQDUQYT for the December 15th date or enter event code MLTNM8N7 for the January 26th date.
- Admission testing for the rising 4th grade is offered on Wednesday, December 16, 2026 and Friday, January 22, 2027. To register, use the ISEE link below, and select “Create an Account” or “log in”. Select “I have an event or walk-in code”, and enter event code PXGT4CVU for the December 16th date or 5DDYYEZW for the January 22nd testing date.
Register for ISEE Testing
Families not local to Charleston can contact Kathleen Beck to schedule testing to take place in the admission office during a visit to Charleston.
How to Prepare for ISEE Testing | How to Interpret Your Isee Report
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| Attend the First Grade Preview of Porter-Gaud with Your Current Kindergartener (also required of current families and O'Quinn families) |
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Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 3:30-4:30 P.M. This fun event gives our rising first grade applicants the opportunity to visit our campus, including the First Grade Building, and get to know potential classmates. Alternatively, it gives our admission staff and Lower School faculty and administrators the opportunity to get to know your child. This event is offered once per admission season and is required for all rising 1st graders.
Click here to register for the First Grade Preview
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| Admission Decision and Dates |
- Last day to submit the admission application form: Friday, January 22, 2027
- Admission Materials Deadline (annual Decision Round): Friday, February 5, 2027
- Admission Decisions Communicated to Families: Friday, March 12, 2027
- Enrollment Deadline for Accepted Applicants: Friday, March 19, 2027
All applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis, provided space and financial aid funding (if applicable) remain available.
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