The Porter-Gaud School is an
independent
Independent or Independents may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups
* Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s
* Independ ...
coeducational
Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to t ...
college preparatory
A college-preparatory school (usually shortened to preparatory school or prep school) is a type of secondary school. The term refers to public, private independent or parochial schools primarily designed to prepare students for higher education ...
day school
A day school — as opposed to a boarding school — is an educational institution where children and adolescents are given instructions during the day, after which the students return to their homes. A day school has full-day programs when compar ...
in
Charleston, in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of
South Carolina
)''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no)
, anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind"
, Former = Province of South Carolina
, seat = Columbia
, LargestCity = Charleston
, LargestMetro = ...
. Porter-Gaud has an enrollment of about 1000 students, comprising an
elementary school
A primary school (in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and South Africa), junior school (in Australia), elementary school or grade school (in North America and the Philippines) is a school for primary ed ...
,
middle school
A middle school (also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school) is an educational stage which exists in some countries, providing education between primary school and secondary school. ...
, and
high school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
, and is located on the banks of the
Ashley River
The Ashley River is a blackwater and tidal river in South Carolina, rising from the Wassamassaw and Great Cypress Swamps in western Berkeley County. It consolidates its main channel about five miles west of Summerville, widening into a ti ...
. 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.
Sexual misconduct scandal
In October 2000, following Fischer's incarceration, a separate court determined that former Principal James Bishop Alexander and Headmaster Berkeley Grimball knew of the ongoing abuse by Fischer. The jury deemed both negligent in stopping the abuse. Neither Principal Alexander nor Headmaster Grimball were ultimately convicted, as each died prior to the court concluding. However, the court awarded the plaintiffs $105 million.
The scandal was the subject of a 2018 documentary, What Haunts Us. The film suggests the suicides of six graduates of the 1979 class were due to the mental impact of being sexually abused by Fischer. The colluding culture of the school with board members ignoring persistent pleas to be heard by one victim, who wrote to all the board members who never responded or discussed it, revealed that these young victims were trapped within a culture where the surface of respectability had to be maintained at all costs. Porter-Gaud school did make a public apology but not to the victims themselves.
Notable alumni
*
John Buse – President of the
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a United States-based nonprofit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes and to help those affected by it through funding research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes (including type 1 diabetes, ...
*
Octavus Roy Cohen
Octavus Roy Cohen (1891–1959) was an early 20th century American writer specializing in ethnic comedies. His dialect comedy stories about African Americans gained popularity after being published in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' and were ada ...
– writer
*
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert ( ; born May 13, 1964) is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is best known for hosting the satirical Comedy Central program ''The Colbert Report'' from 2005 to ...
– comedian, host of ''
The Late Show The Late Show may refer to:
Books
* ''The Late Show'' (book), a 2017 book by Michael Connelly
Film
* ''The Late Show'' (film), a 1977 film
* ''Late Show'', a 1999 German film by director Helmut Dietl
Music
* ''The Late Show'' (Eddie "Loc ...
''
*
Joel Derfner
Joel Derfner (born January 12, 1973) is an American writer and composer. He is the author of three gay-themed books: ''Gay Haiku'' (2005), ''Swish: My Quest to Become the Gayest Person Ever and What Ended Up Happening Instead'' (2008), and ''Lawf ...
– author, musical theater composer
*
Shepard Fairey
Frank Shepard Fairey (born February 15, 1970) is an American contemporary artist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene. In 1989 he designed the " Andre the Giant Has a Posse" (...OBEY...) sticker cam ...
– artist
*
Jack Hitt
Jack Hitt is an American author. He has been a contributing editor to '' Harper's'', ''The New York Times Magazine'', ''This American Life'', and the now-defunct magazine '' Lingua Franca''. His work has appeared in such publications as ''Outsi ...
– writer and contributing editor for ''
This American Life
''This American Life'' (''TAL'') is an American monthly hour-long radio program produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media and hosted by Ira Glass. It is broadcast on numerous public radio stations in the United States and internation ...
'', ''
Harper's'' and ''
The New York Times Magazine
''The New York Times Magazine'' is an American Sunday magazine Supplement (publishing), supplement included with the Sunday edition of ''The New York Times''. It features articles longer than those typically in the newspaper and has attracted man ...
''; previously wrote for ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' and ''
Wired
''Wired'' (stylized as ''WIRED'') is a monthly American magazine, published in print and online editions, that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered in San Fra ...
''
*
Benjamin Hutto
W. Benjamin Hutto (October 4, 1947 – September 29, 2015) was an American musician who specialized in writing, producing, and directing choral music. He served as Director of Choral Activities and Director of Performing Arts at St. Albans School ...
- Director of Choral Activities and Director of Performing Arts at
St. Albans School for Boys and the
National Cathedral School for Girls in Washington D.C., organist for St. John's Episcopal Church - "the Nation's Church"
*
Josiah-Jordan James
Josiah-Jordan James (born September 5, 2000) is an American college basketball player for the Tennessee Volunteers of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
High school career
James played high school basketball for Porter-Gaud School in Charleston ...
- basketball player for the
Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the 20 male and female varsity college athletics, intercollegiate athletics programs that represent the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers compete in NCAA Division I, ...
*
George P. Kent
George P. Kent is an American diplomat. He is ambassador to Estonia since February 21, 2023. George Kent served as deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, European and Eurasian Affairs from 2018 to 2 ...
- diplomat, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
*
Sallie Krawcheck
Sallie L. Krawcheck (born November 28, 1964) is the former head of Bank of America's Global Wealth and Investment Management division and is currently the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, a digital financial advisor for women launched in 2016. Sh ...
– former
CFO
The chief financial officer (CFO) is an officer of a company or organization that is assigned the primary responsibility for managing the company's finances, including financial planning, management of financial risks, record-keeping, and financ ...
of
Citigroup Inc.; former
CEO
A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...
of
Smith Barney
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an American multinational financial services corporation specializing in retail brokerage. It is the wealth & asset management division of Morgan Stanley.
On January 13, 2009, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup anno ...
; member of the board of directors at
Dell Computers, Head of
Bank of America
The Bank of America Corporation (often abbreviated BofA or BoA) is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered at the Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The bank w ...
's Global Wealth Management division
*
George Swinton Legaré
George Swinton Legaré (November 11, 1869 – January 31, 1913) was an American attorney and politician from South Carolina. He was best known for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1903 until his death.
Early life
...
– member of the
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the Lower house, lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States Senate, Senate being ...
, prominent Charleston lawyer
*
Burnet R. Maybank
Burnet Rhett Maybank (March 7, 1899September 1, 1954) was a three-term United States Senate, US senator, the List of Governors of South Carolina, 99th governor of South Carolina, and mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. He was the first governo ...
– Depression-era mayor of Charleston,
Governor of South Carolina
The governor of South Carolina is the head of government of South Carolina. The governor is the '' ex officio'' commander-in-chief of the National Guard when not called into federal service. The governor's responsibilities include making year ...
and
United States Senator
The United States Senate is the Upper house, upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives being the Lower house, lower chamber. Together they compose the national Bica ...
*
Khris Middleton
James Khristian Middleton (born August 12, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a three-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2 ...
– NBA Championship winner for the
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...
, formerly of the
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
; Olympic Gold Medalist
*
Ovie Mughelli
Ovie Phillip Mughelli (born June 10, 1980) is a former American football fullback who last played for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Wake Forest University, he was drafted in the fo ...
– NFL football player
*
Aaron Nesmith
Aaron Joshua Nesmith (born October 16, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Early life and high scho ...
- NBA basketball player for the
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of t ...
*
Vic Rawl
A. Victor Rawl is an American politician, attorney, and jurist serving as a member of the Charleston County council in Charleston, South Carolina. Rawl was a candidate for 2010 United States Senate election in South Carolina. He lost the Democra ...
– Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate; received national attention after losing to
Alvin Greene
Alvin Michael Greene (born August 30, 1977) is an American political candidate from the state of South Carolina. He was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2010 United States Senate election in South Carolina, and was defeated by incumbent Re ...
*
Archibald Rutledge – South Carolina poet laureate
*
Sonny Seiler
Frank W. Seiler (born February 20, 1933) is a retired trial attorney from Savannah, Georgia, who had a leading role in the true-crime book ''Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil''. He is also the owner of the University of Georgia Bulldogs liv ...
– attorney, owner of
Uga, the
University of Georgia
, mottoeng = "To teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things.""To serve" was later added to the motto without changing the seal; the Latin motto directly translates as "To teach and to inquire into the nature of things."
, establ ...
bulldog
The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is of medium size, a muscular, hefty dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.[Charles P. Summerall
General Charles Pelot Summerall (March 4, 1867 – May 14, 1955) was a senior United States Army officer. He commanded the 1st Infantry Division in World War I, was Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1926 to 1930, and was President of ...]
–
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
general
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...
,
Army Chief of Staff
*
Kurt W. Tidd –
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
Admiral Commander U.S. Southern Command
Notable faculty
![Gates to Porter-Gaud School (Charleston, South Carolina, 2006)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Gates_to_Porter-Gaud_School_%28Charleston%2C_South_Carolina%2C_2006%29.jpg)
*
Hervey Allen
William Hervey Allen Jr. (December 8, 1889 – December 28, 1949) was an American educator, poet, and writer. He is best known for his work ''Anthony Adverse (novel), Anthony Adverse'' (made into a Anthony Adverse, 1936 movie of the same name), r ...
– author from Pennsylvania; works include: ''
Anthony Adverse
''Anthony Adverse'' is a 1936 American epic historical drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Fredric March and Olivia de Havilland. The screenplay by Sheridan Gibney draws elements of its plot from eight of the nine books in Herve ...
'', ''Israfel,'' ''Action at Aquila,'' and ''The Forest and the Fort''
*
DuBose Heyward – author best known for his 1924 novel ''Porgy''; co-author of the non-musical play adapted from the novel, which became the foundation of George Gershwin's opera ''Porgy and Bess''
*
Benjamin Hutto
W. Benjamin Hutto (October 4, 1947 – September 29, 2015) was an American musician who specialized in writing, producing, and directing choral music. He served as Director of Choral Activities and Director of Performing Arts at St. Albans School ...
– music director and choirmaster at the school during the 70s through the 90s, during which time the Porter-Gaud Choir recorded several albums
*
Wyndham Meredith Manning
Wyndham Meredith Manning (1890–1967) was a South Carolina politician. Manning served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and was appointed Superintendent of the state's prison system by then Governor Strom Thurmond in 1947, serving i ...
– member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
See also
*
Charleston Arsenal
The Charleston Arsenal was a United States Army arsenal facility in Charleston, South Carolina, seized by state militia at the outbreak of the American Civil War.
The arsenal was constructed between 1825 and 1832 by the United States government ...
, the original site of Porter Military Academy
References
{{authority control
Private high schools in South Carolina
Private middle schools in South Carolina
Private elementary schools in South Carolina
Education in Charleston, South Carolina
Educational institutions established in 1867
Episcopal Church in South Carolina
Episcopal schools in the United States
Schools in Charleston County, South Carolina
Preparatory schools in South Carolina
1867 establishments in South Carolina