The School

Shorecrest Preparatory School is an independent, co-educational, day school enrolling 1000 students from Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through the twelfth grade. Located near I-275 in northeast St. Petersburg, Shorecrest serves families residing throughout the Tampa Bay area. The oldest independent day school in Florida, Shorecrest seeks diversity in its students, faculty, and administration, and our school community reflects the ethnicities, religions, social classes, and lifestyles to be found on Florida's West Coast. We welcome applications from candidates who exhibit talent, intelligence, professionalism, and dedication to teaching. Shorecrest is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association of Educators of Young Children, and by the Florida Kindergarten Council; it is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools.

The Area

St. Petersburg is located at the hub of the larger Tampa Bay area which also includes the cities of Tampa, Clearwater, and Sarasota. A system of major roads and multiple bridges spanning the Bay itself makes the entire region easily accessible, and its overall population of over two million supports a wide variety of year-round cultural, athletic, entertainment, and shopping opportunities. In addition, mid-state attractions such as Sea World and Disney World are less than two hours away via the Interstates while Florida's Atlantic Coast and Cape Kennedy are a scant three hours drive due east.

The Climate

Florida's warm, sunny climate is legendary, and Tampa Bay's climate is no exception to this general rule. St. Petersburg enjoys 361 sunny days per year on average, and our mean temperature varies from about 60°F in winter to about 82° F in summer. The rainy season runs from June through the end of November, but the typical summer weather pattern sees long sunny days punctuated by afternoon thunderstorms which reduce the temperature and humidity and generally clear before sunset. Virtually all outdoor sports and activities can occur year-round here, and St. Pete places a high premium on providing and maintaining municipal recreational facilities including tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses, and the Pinellas (Bicycle) Trail. Twenty eight miles of white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico provide additional opportunities for sunning, strolling, shelling, and just plain relaxing.

Financial Climate

Florida's financial climate is as "user-friendly" as its natural climate. There are no state or local personal income taxes, no occupational privilege taxes, and the relatively low sales tax (6.5% statewide; 7% in Pinellas County) exempts groceries, medicines, household fuels, and most services.

Culture

There is a thriving cultural life in the Tampa Bay region with various museums and theaters showcasing the visual and performing arts. St. Petersburg is home to the Dali Museum, the Florida International Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Tampa is well-known for its Museum of Science and Industry; and the John and Mable Ringling Museum located in Sarasota houses a major collection of European masters. Smaller specialty museums also abound throughout the region. The Bayfront Center/Mahaffey Theater, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and the Tampa Bay Performing Art Center host the Florida Symphony Orchestra in its September through May season. Van Wezel Hall is home to the Florida West Coast Symphony. These versatile halls also offer a continuing menu of musical, theatrical, athletic, and entertainment productions on tour. Playhouses in each of the Bay area's cities provide opportunities for local actors and directors to showcase their skills. Our mild climate also makes possible a series of outdoor celebrations of the arts. Highlights include juried arts and crafts shows, an annual Shakespeare-in-the-Park festival, concerts in parks along the Bay, a First Night Celebration, and a Springtime Renaissance Fair.

Higher Education

The region also has several institutions of higher education which promote the continuing life of the mind. Eckerd College, Stetson University's College of Law, the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg College, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, and the University of Tampa are probably the best-known of these. There are also a variety of religiously-affiliated colleges within reasonable commuting distance.

Sports

Tampa Bay also has much to please the sports enthusiast. At present, the area is home to the 2002 Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, arena football (Tampa Bay Storm), and ice hockey (Tampa Bay Lightning). The area has long provided winter training seasons for various major league baseball teams, and St. Petersburg now has its own professional baseball team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, an expansion baseball franchise, which began play in 1998. The area also hosts PGA golf tournaments, NCAA basketball playoffs, sailing regattas, Grand Prix auto racing as well as a wide range of amateur athletic competitions throughout the year.

In Conclusion . . .

Shorecrest is located in the midst of all this, very near the geographic center of one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the Southeast. We offer regionally competitive salaries which enable a high quality of life in a very desirable environment. A career at Shorecrest offers both professional and personal satisfaction; living in the St. Pete/ Tampa Bay area is a pleasure in its own right. After all, some 4 million tourists annually come to visit what those of us who live and work here call "home"! We appreciate your interest in our school and wish you well in your job search.

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