The International Connection group strives to support Shorecrest Preparatory School as the independent school of choice in the Tampa Bay Area for families who seek diversity, inclusion and cultural enrichment within a globally-aware community. Based on a 2019 family survey, over 65 different countries are represented by Shorecrest families, faculty and staff – with many more having joined at the start of the new school year. (Families have reported their nationality as being from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Granada, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Phillipines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam)
MISSION
The International Connection group, supported by the Director of Diversity & Inclusion:
- acts as a social and support network to new and existing international families at Shorecrest
- liaises with faculty and staff to offer first-hand knowledge of international customs and traditions in the classroom, increasing global perspective
- partners with the Parent Ambassador program through the Admissions office to facilitate the entry of new incoming international families into Shorecrest
- serves as a conduit for students to become better ‘global learners’ through participation in suitable exchange programs, conferences, organizations and experiences