Coed, independent, PK3-12th grade school in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Diversity and Inclusion at Shorecrest

At Shorecrest Preparatory School, we strive to be a community that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. Our school is a place where differences are celebrated, where unique qualities are affirmed, and where each member of our community feels valued and respected. Using our Mission Statement as a guide, we accept the challenges of building a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
 
Shorecrest is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive community based on these guidelines:
  • We respect and value the unique qualities and traits of our community members and celebrate our myriad backgrounds and experiences.
  • We are committed to providing and promoting an inclusive environment by addressing issues of equity and justice in the curriculum, programs, assessment, pedagogy and in ongoing dialogue.
  • We welcome all candidates for admission or employment regardless of age, race, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, or national or ethnic origin.
  • We will purposefully and strategically plan the ongoing cultural competency training of our students, personnel, Board and parents as we work toward building a community reflective of the world we live in.
To find out more about our diversity, equity and inclusion programs, please contact me.

Roderick Avery Fludd
Director of Diversity

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

Shorecrest Preparatory School’s Board, administration, faculty, staff and school community are committed to the process of creating and sustaining an equitable and just community. At Shorecrest, all individuals are compelled to engage in the process of creating an environment where Shorecrest feels like home to all. The School embraces the wide variety of cultures, religions, languages, backgrounds, identities and perspectives that encompass the richness of humanity. Moved by our guiding Core Values, Shorecrest is a place where complex individual and group differences are met with respect and compassion. The Shorecrest community believes that our diverse culture enhances the school’s environment and prepares our students to become the next generation of global leaders.

The original "Big Eight" Social Identifiers

A list of some cultural identifiers to consider when discussing equity, diversity and inclusion includes:

1. Ability - Mental and/or physical
2. Age
3. Ethnicity
4. Gender
5. Race
6. Religion
7. Sexual Orientation
8. Socio-Economic Status/Class

Diversity Coordinators

To further support students, families and faculty to be a community that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable, four Diversity Coordinators have been appointed among the Shorecrest faculty - one in each School: Meghan Schneider in Upper School, Dr. Lizz Angello in Middle School, Khana Rebman ‘05 in Lower School and Takeya Trayer in The Experiential School. 

Under the leadership of Roderick Fludd and the Head of School, Diversity Coordinators help to ensure that equity is embedded throughout our curriculum and school culture. Diversity Coordinators support the development and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and provide guidance, communication, and professional development to the School’s faculty.

The position focuses on issues of diversity that include but are not limited to: ancestry, color, creed, gender, gender identity, handicap or physical condition, homeless status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, social emotional learning or any other underrepresented characteristic protected by law. These individuals will also help prepare relevant professional development for Shorecrest faculty and staff and be active members of the Board Diversity Committee.

Shorecrest Affinity Groups

At Shorecrest, an affinity group is a group of community members with a shared, underrepresented presence with the purposes of empathy, support and education.

The Shorecrest Affinity Group Alliance (SAGA) is a collection of the family affinity groups that exist in the Shorecrest Community. The groups that are currently active are:
  • Families of African American Students
  • International Connections
  • Latinos en Shorecrest
  • ShorecrestPride (LGBTQ+ families)
Since 2021, Emily Arthur, LS Receptionist and Shorecrest parent, has volunteered to chair SAGA and work with Roderick Fludd, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, to connect affinity group members to one another and to the full Shorecrest community.

Student Affinity Groups
Shorecrest Upper School has student Affinity Groups with two purposes: 1) to provide a space for individuals with shared ethnic/cultural or personal affinity and 2) to identify areas of possible growth with specific focus on cultural/personal student issues with suggestions for community engagement. Student can learn more in the Upper School Clubs Handbook. The current student affinity groups include:
  • Asian Student Union
  • Black Student Union (BSU)
  • Eurasian Student Union 
  • Hispanic Heritage Union
  • Jewish Student Union (Jewnion)
  • Shorecrest Christian Fellowship
  • Shorecrest Pride

Related News

Roderick Avery Fludd
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
rfludd@shorecrest.org
Office: 727-​346​-1808
Cell: 727-410-1731

Roderick Avery Fludd, a Columbia, South Carolina, native, joined Shorecrest in 2017 as the School's first Director of Diversity and Inclusion. He has more than 20 years of experience in education, including 15+ years in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity work. Roderick received his B.S. in Mathematics from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, and his Masters in Education from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.

Since joining Shorecrest, he has become an integral part of the community. He is the faculty sponsor of several student organizations including the Gender and Sexuality Acceptance (GSA) Affinity group and the Black Student Union. He has advised and developed numerous adult affinity groups which includes International Connection (for our school's international families). He works with the greater Tampa Bay community to strengthen our connections with other organizations. He also coaches our Varsity Softball team.

Before coming to Shorecrest, Roderick held multiple positions at The Greenwich Country Day School in Greenwich, CT, including Mathematics Department Chair and Director of Diversity Programs and Community Life. Prior to GCDS, Roderick taught middle school math at the Brentwood School in Los Angeles, CA. Additionally, he has coached JV/Varsity softball since he began teaching.

An avid collector of bow ties, cufflinks, and watches, Roderick is a lifelong Dodgers fan and roots for the Utah Jazz. In his spare time, he loves to play golf and works as an equity consultant.

Shorecrest Preparatory School

5101 First Street Northeast
St Petersburg, FL 33703
Phone: (727) 522-2111  |  Fax: (727) 527-4191
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Shorecrest Preparatory School is a private, non-sectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students preschool through high school, located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Shorecrest acknowledges its obligation to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin sex, citizenship status, genetic information, handicap or disability in admissions, access, employment, tuition assistance, educational policies, or other school administered student and employee programs and activities. Questions regarding the School’s compliance with the application and administration of the School’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Kristine Grant, Head of Middle School, 5101 First Street Northeast, St. Petersburg, Florida 33703, (727)-522-2111, kgrant@shorecrest.org or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Please refer to the School’s Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy on the School’s website for information on how to file complaints with OCR.