Porter-Gaud School

Porter-Gaud School

Fides, Honor, Scientia
Location
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Coordinates 32°46′27″N 79°57′51″W / 32.77417°N 79.96417°W / 32.77417; -79.96417Coordinates: 32°46′27″N 79°57′51″W / 32.77417°N 79.96417°W / 32.77417; -79.96417
Information
Type Private
Established 1867
Faculty 395
Number of students 900
Campus 88 acres (360,000 m2)
Color(s) Garnet and Gray         
Mascot Cyclone
Rival Bishop England High School
Average SAT scores 1310 (M+CR)
Endowment $12.5m
Affiliation Episcopal Church
Website Porter-Gaud School

The Porter-Gaud School is an independent coeducational college preparatory day school in Charleston, in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Porter-Gaud has an enrollment of some 950 students, comprising an elementary school, middle school, and high school, and is located on the banks of the Ashley River. The school has historic ties to the Episcopal Church.

Porter-Gaud was formed in July 1964 from the merger of three schools: The Porter Military Academy (founded 1867), the Gaud School for Boys (founded 1908), and the Watt School (founded 1931). The legal name of the institution remains The Porter Academy.

The Porter Military Academy was formed in 1867 by the Reverend Dr. Anthony Toomer Porter, an Episcopal priest, to educate children orphaned during the Civil War. Established as the Holy Communion Church Institute in 1867, the school was later known as Porter Academy and eventually Porter Military Academy. William Steen Gaud established the Gaud School in 1908. In 1948, Berkeley Grimball purchased the school from Gaud and over the course of 16 years increased the enrollment to nearly 150 as the Gaud School attained a position of eminence among Southern preparatory schools. Ann Carson Elliott, Berkeley Grimball's mother, founded the Watt School in 1931, a coeducational primary school, which served as a feeder school for the Gaud School.

In 1964, the original Porter Military Academy campus in downtown Charleston was sold to the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (now CSX) donated the current 88-acre (360,000 m2) campus on Albemarle Point. In July 1964, the three schools merged and dropped the military program. The new entity, Porter-Gaud School, opened its doors to 435 male students in grades 1–12. As modern school facilities began taking shape across the Ashley River on the property donated by the railroad, classes met at the old Porter campus.

Porter-Gaud opened its new campus in September 1965 with an enrollment of 469 day students. In the following year it became one of the first schools in the South to adopt an open admissions policy. In 1972, the school admitted female students into the first three grades. By the fall of 1976 the program had been accelerated to include girls at all levels of the school, although Porter-Gaud has retained close ties to its sister school, Ashley Hall.

In May 2008, Porter-Gaud acquired The O'Quinn Schools, a local preschool that dates back to the early 1970s, with the intention of maintaining the names of the schools, faculties, programs, and tuition policies.

Porter-Gaud School graduates an average class size of 83 per year. The four-year average SAT score is 1310 (the average for the state of South Carolina is 1023). Porter-Gaud offers 21 Advanced Placement and 11 Honors courses, in addition to a variety of specialty semester courses. Porter-Gaud School currently offers French, Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese.

Porter-Gaud School is a member of the South Carolina Independent School Association. Porter-Gaud offers over 38 Varsity and Junior Varsity sports. The school mascot is the Cyclone.

Porter Military Academy

The Reverend Dr. Anthony Toomer Porter, founder

On October 25, 1867, while in Magnolia Cemetery, mourning the death of one of his sons, Anthony Toomer Porter, rector of Holy Communion Church, became convinced that he should start a school. Many of his son's friends could no longer attend school, as their families had been impoverished by the war. By December of that year, Porter had founded the Holy Communion Church Institute, using church facilities.

In 1879 the old Federal Arsenal on Ashley Avenue, a block from the church, was put up for sale. Porter went to Washington and secured the help of President Hayes and Gen. Sherman (Porter had saved the life of an Officer in Sherman's army during the war) to convince Congress to lease the property to the school for $1.00 a year.

Adapting the military buildings to school use, it was fitting that the school became known as Porter Military Academy. Both boarding school and day school, students came from towns and farms throughout the Low Country, and eventually from upper South Carolina, other states, and even other countries. From its beginning, the school accepted students from all faiths. It was and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, but is owned by its Board of Trustees, with the Bishop as an ex officio member. One of the primary goals of the school was, and is, character development, summarized in the motto on the PMA crest: WATCH: Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character, and Habits.

Porter developed a broad curriculum, ranging from Greek to woodworking to athletics. The school day began with bugle call, breakfast, and chapel. Facilities ranged from a dormitory, an infirmary, library, classroom buildings, rifle range, tennis courts, a parade ground, and the notorious "bull ring" where detention students were made to march. Porter Military Academy boasted a naval program, including several surplus Navy vessels. The "Porter Navy" was discontinued, however, after a fire destroyed the ships. Porter also claimed one of the first high school football teams, one of which in a 1913 scrimmage held the Citadel to a 0 to 0 score.

The Gaud School for Boys

The Waring Library

Mr. Gaud, born in Canada, had a master's degree from the University of Chicago, and had been headmaster of Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts. After marrying a Charleston girl, he founded the Gaud School in 1908 with 34 students. In 1912 he turned the school over to others in order to teach at Phillips Exeter and then to serve during World War I. He returned to Charleston in 1919 and again took over his school.

Last Graduating Class of 1964 The school was first located in a building behind his home at 25 3/4 Legare Street, but in 1920 it relocated to 77 Church Street. From 1928 until 1941 and again from 1957–1961, the school was located at 90–92 East Bay Street on the corner of Adger's Wharf. The school had also been located for a time at 77 Church Street and at 79–81 East Bay Street.

Upon Mr. Gaud's return to Charleston in 1919, his school essentially became a school to ready Charleston boys for successful entry into New England boarding schools. Its high academic standards meant that Mr. Gaud often had a waiting list of applicants. The number of his students ranged from ten to eighteen, and these were divided into two grade levels in his one schoolroom, one class studying while the other recited. After Mrs. Watt's school began in 1931, it was customary for boys to attend her school through the third grade, and then fit into Mr. Gaud's school, which went through the eighth grade. Mr. Gaud would let his students take a break in the school day and go to the nearby playground, where one of the games was called "Gaud ball" – rather like baseball without a bat.

In 1948 Mr. Gaud retired at age 82 and his equity in the school was purchased by Mr. Berkeley Grimball for $125.00. Mr. Grimball began to build his school, a grade at a time, until he had some 180 students. The building on East Bay Street became too small for the growing school. In 1961 Mr. Grimball bought the Rutledge mansion on Broad Street where the students had classes until 1964. Mr. Grimball continued the high academic standards of Mr. Gaud, at first teaching many of the subjects himself. As the school grew, he added fine teachers such as Mr. Maurice McLaughlin, who taught Latin and Spanish, and Admiral Florence, who taught math. Mr. Grimball was a particularly fine teacher of literature and history. The school lacked athletic facilities, but Mr. Grimball at first used the East Bay Street playground and later took boys out to practice on his tennis courts on James Island; soccer was also added to the activities.

The Watt School

Mrs. Watt was Mr. Grimball's mother, so running a school came naturally for him. After her husband died, she began her school in 1931 in the depth of the Great Depression. Her first classes were held in the dining room of her Broad Street home, but she had a small classroom building constructed at the rear of her property. The reputation of her school grew among her neighbors and among those living south of Broad Street. Many of her graduates went on to the Gaud School, particularly after Mr. Grimball became headmaster there. Most of the children would walk to school and then walk home for the traditional 2:00 p.m. dinner. It was a homey and welcoming school and very “Charlestonian.”

The O'Quinn Schools

Founded in the early 1970s by Linda O'Quinn and her daughter Anna, the pre-school quickly became known for its personality and southern charm. The School quickly rose to prominence as the regions major feeder for many private schools and expanded to a second campus. Today The O'Quinn School is a subsidiary of Porter-Gaud, maintaining two campuses on James Island and in Mt. Pleasant.

Athletics

The Porter-Gaud "Cyclone Man"

Porter-Gaud participates in the South Carolina Independent School Association or SCISA.

Sports Offered

Rivals

Early Football Teams

During the early 20th century, Porter Military scrimmaged several University Football teams:

  • 1905 – @ The Citadel (PMA: 0, Citadel: 0) – This was the first football game the Citadel ever played.
  • 1905 – @ The Citadel (PMA: 0 Citadel: 17) – This was the second football game the Citadel ever played.
  • 1905 – @ The Citadel – This was the third football game the Citadel ever played.
  • Oct 16, 1909 – @ The Citadel
  • Nov 18, 1911 – @ The Citadel (PMA: 0, Citadel: 6)
  • Oct 19, 1912 – @ The Citadel (PMA: 0 Citadel: 66)

School Publications

Porter-Gaud has six student produced publications. Each is funded by the school and supervised by a faculty member. Porter-Gaud's Development Office also produces two regular publications. In addition to the eight aforementioned official publications, unofficial student produced and funded weekly newspapers can be found on campus.

Student Publications

Development Publications

Unofficial Publications

Traditions

The S&T Clock – West Face
Stephen T. Colbert Debate Tournament 
An annual debate tournament on the SC Forensics circuit, hosted by the speech & debate team at Porter-Gaud.
Halloween Carnival 
An annual carnival held by the Student Council and Parents Guild. It is the primary fund raiser for all school clubs. It has been consistently festive for several decades. Granted satisfactory weather, the carnival is spread across much of the 88-acre (360,000 m2) campus. During inclement weather the carnival is spread through The Wendell Center, Fishburne Gym, Washington Hall and Breeze Ways.
Halloween Parade 
An annual parade involving the first grade and senior class. Both classes dress up in their Halloween costumes to march little-hand in big-hand along a traditional route around campus. It is viewed as a right of passage for the seniors in the run-up to graduation.
Thanksgiving Play 
An annual play performed completely by the first grade with the guidance and leadership of their teachers. The play and accompanying music, delivering the traditional story of Thanksgiving, were written entirely by first grade teachers in the 1970s. There are typically several performances, the most popular of which is for the high schoolers, who enjoy spotting their old part in the play.
Founders' Day Concert 
An annual concert held on October 21 featuring a revolving theme to celebrate the school's establishment. The concert's origins can be traced back to 1978.
Holiday Market 
Held in the Wendell Center during the weeks preceding Christmas, the Holiday Market is an annual holiday centric venue for Charleston area artisans to sell their goods. It is hosted by the Parents Guild, which puts the proceeds towards the annual fund.
Christmas play 
An annual play - The Gifts of Christmas- performed by the second grade.
Holiday Assembly 
A tradition that has become a sort of phenomenon within the community. Occurring on the last day before Christmas Vacation, the assembly features a massive singing competition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" between the grades. Typically the music is performed live by the Porter-Gaud Jazz Ensemble. In the past years, it has been held in the Wendell Center.
Porter-Gaud Holiday Classic 
An annual basketball invitational tournament held on the Porter-Gaud Campus at the Wendell Center and Fishburne Gym.
Winter Semi-Formal 
An annual dance held during the winter months and organized by the students. In the past, the Winter Semi-Formal has been held at the South Carolina Aquarium.
The Baccalaureate 
Held in the closing days of the school year before graduation, the Baccalaureate is the closing sermon to the graduating class and is held at Rev. Anthony Toomer Porter's home parish, the Church of the Holy Communion.
The Quarter Pounders 
Porter-Gaud's male quartet group that consists of four upper school students, two tenors and two basses. This group is by invitation only and represents some of the top male vocalists in the Upper School.

Campus and Facilities

The school sits on an 88-acre (360,000 m2) campus, located at the banks of the Ashley River in Charleston, SC. The tract was donated to the newly merged entity by CSX Railroad in 1965.

Media

  • 3 computer labs
  • multimedia production lab
  • dedicated server room
  • 2 Libraries
    • 32,000 volumes

Fine Arts

  • 3 art galleries
  • 3 art studios
  • 3 music studios
  • recording studio
  • auditorium (capacity 414)

Athletics

  • football and soccer stadium
  • 8 lane paved track
  • baseball field
  • softball field
  • 6 tennis courts
  • 2 practice fields
  • 2 gymnasiums
  • fitness center
  • health classroom

Misc.

  • 14 science labs
  • 150+ Classrooms
  • 2 archive rooms
  • 4 workrooms
  • 5 conference rooms
  • boardroom
  • dining hall
  • Head of School's Residence
  • Head of Ground's Residence

Science and Technology Building

Heads of School

Porter Military Academy (1867–1964) The Gaud School (1908–1964) The Watt School (1931–1964) Porter-Gaud School
  • Dr. Rev. Anthony Toomer Porter (1867-1902)
  • Mr. Charles Jones Colcock (1902-1919)
  • Rev. Walter Mitchell (1919-1922)
  • Col. Paul M. Thrasher, USA, Ret. (1922-1953)
  • Cmdr. Warren L. Willis, USN, Ret. (1954-1963)
  • Maj. Ted Richardson (Interim 1963-1964)
  • Mr. William Steen Gaud
  • Mr. Berkeley Grimball
  • Mrs. Ann Carson Elliott (Mrs. Watt)
  • Mr. Berkeley Grimball (1964-1988)
  • Mr. Gordon Bondurant (1988-1999)
  • Mr. Stephen Blanchard (1999-2005)
  • Mrs. Liza Lee (Interim 2005–2007)
  • Dr. Christian J. Proctor (2007-2009)
  • Mr. DuBose Egleston (Interim 2009, 2010–present)

Notable alumni

Politics, Media & Business

Athletics

Health

Notable faculty

the second gates of Porter Military Academy (now at the new campus)

Guest Writer program

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Good Morning Lowcountry: Native Sons", The Post and Courier, December 29, 2005.
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