Going Beyond the Classroom
By Ryan Walsh
When it comes to their child’s education, every parent wants the best.
Advanced Placement (AP) classes, extracurricular activities, clubs and leadership opportunities are all part of the decision-making process parents consider when deciding on a school for their children. Also, increased competition for top universities means that college prep often begins before students even attend high school.
Thankfully, parents have a wealth of options in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Highly rated public, private and charter schools allow families to choose exactly what they feel is best for them.
Many choose Shorecrest Preparatory School.
This St. Petersburg-based private school, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, has about 1,000 students ranging from pre-school to twelfth grade. Beyond academic education, Shorecrest develops its students to help them unlock their potential.
“Shorecrest does an exceptional job balancing academic excellence and robust co-curricular opportunities in the context of a connected, caring community,” said Director of Marketing & Communications Rachel Barrett. “Exceptional faculty, dedication to academic excellence and a close-knit community remain hallmarks of the Shorecrest experience.”
The school is divided into four divisions: the Experiential (ages 3-5), Lower (grades K-4), Middle (grades 5-8) and Upper (grades 9-12) schools, each offering a unique and tailored experience for students’ educational development. While the curriculum is guided in the early years, once students hit the Middle School, they have more opportunities to choose what activities and co-curriculars they take.
“Students have more agency over their choices,” Barrett said. “From a robust visual and performing arts program, competitive athletics, compassionate service-learning opportunities, robotics, clubs and leadership opportunities and so much more.”
Providing students with real-world experiences is part and parcel with traditional classroom instruction. Shorecrest students have shadowed surgeons at the Peck Center for Medical Sciences, interviewed business leaders at the Ross Roeder Institute for Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Economics, and have been able to network with professionals across many industries and fields.
The Shorecrest experience pays off. In years past, graduating senior classes have boasted a 100% college acceptance rate. In 2023, Niche.com recognized Shorecrest as the Best Private High School in Pinellas County. Those leaving with a Shorecrest education also tout its benefits.
“We repeatedly hear from our graduates that they arrive in college with superior reading and writing skills, study skills and problem-solving skills,” Barrett said.
It is easy to see why so many parents, teachers and students choose Shorecrest Preparatory School.
