More Than...

It is not uncommon to hear that a family’s decision to relocate to St. Petersburg depended upon finding the right school for their children. I’m sure other quality of life issues regularly come into play. Housing, medical facilities, places of worship, entertainment, parks, recreation and commute time are all key factors considered in a relocation. Of course, cost of living here compared to other locations is often very important.

Those of us who work in and promote independent education understand that we are more than just schools. We are a vital amenity in our communities. Schools like Shorecrest provide choice, quality and educational experiences that are attractive to both local residents and to those relocating to our region. Shorecrest realizes we are in a partnership with our city and the local businesses. Our quality contributes to making St. Petersburg a great place to live, work, learn and play. The stronger we are, the stronger our city is, and the more attractive to people looking to relocate here for careers or other quality of life reasons.

Programs like the Service Learning Program, the STEAM Girls Club, the Prep to Prep Program and the Medical Science Program all provide valuable connections for Shorecrest students and our Tampa Bay community.

While programs like Thespians, Robotics and Athletics put our students in contact with peers from around the state, a program like Service Learning imbeds our students with people of all ages and all backgrounds. If a service program works well, our students walk away with a desire to continue to serve. They feel like they are partners with the service organizations.

Just like our Medical Science students learn there is a lot to gain from the medical practitioners they shadow, our students who serve find that there are lessons to be learned by people of all backgrounds. This exposure contributes to an expanded definition of a “Preparatory” school.  

We are more than just a college preparatory school. We are preparing our students to be active citizens and leaders in their communities. This cannot be accomplished if we do not get out of the classroom and beyond the beautiful grounds of our campus.

Prep to Prep and the STEAM Girls Club are programs that strengthen our relationship with Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg. In some cases, families are providing tuition and fees for talented Academy Prep students to continue their education at Shorecrest. The generosity of the families involved in the Prep to Prep program are providing life-changing opportunities to our students.

On a smaller but more personal scale, Anna Baralt, Courtney Walker and Lisa Peck have assembled a team of Shorecrest girls who on a monthly basis engage in STEAM-related activities with girls from Academy Prep. This summer, our girls will move the STEAM program to the Academy Prep campus. We look forward to seeing the friendships and other benefits that will emerge from this special partnership.

I applaud the teachers, students and families who extend themselves to ensure that the Shorecrest educational experience is more than it was even a year ago. The ongoing improvements and efforts to develop stronger relationship with our community and all the resources available to our children will contribute to allowing us to Be More for current and future generations. Go Chargers!

Cheers!