Being Present, Looking back and Looking forward

Yesterday, the Gaffney Green in front of Charger Commons was filled with beautifully decorated, family-run booths representing more than 30 different countries. At each booth students, parents, faculty, staff and friends could learn about a different culture and part of the world from which a Shorecrest family hails. The International Festival represented the cultural richness of our school community and was an incredible opportunity for us to learn and celebrate together. Many thanks to our International Connections group and the many volunteers who made the festival possible. (Check next week's ebytes for a full event recap and many photos!)

Earlier this month, I wrote about Strategic Planning, which is a way that schools plan for the future. While we are excitedly contemplating what’s next to come for Shorecrest, we are also fortunate to have a milestone opportunity to reflect on the past. Our centennial celebration, which marks 100 years since the 1923 founding of Shorecrest, offers us the chance to look back at who we were and marvel at the changes that Shorecrest has undergone in the past century. 

So much is in store for our community celebrations of this milestone. We’ll celebrate the commencement of the Class of 2023, our current juniors, as our centennial class in May 2023. For the fall of 2023, we’re working on plans for a community walk/run from Shorecrest’s original location at 1200 North Shore NE downtown to our current campus, as well as a community-wide gala. Art and historical exhibits, timelines, special guests, and more are all in the works. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved in the centennial during these early stages, please reach out to the planning committee at [email protected]. 

The immediate future is very positive in terms of enrollment for Shorecrest. 94% of our current students have re-enrolled for next year and we have strong demand from new families who want their children to join the School. There is a waiting list for spots in The Experiential School, with closed enrollment in Alpha and Junior Kindergarten, even after adding a fourth JK section! We are nearly full in Kindergarten as well. Ninth grade continues to be a popular entry point for new Upper Schoolers and there is a rise in new families who are choosing to enter Shorecrest in the Lower and Middle Schools, so as to secure their spots for the future. We also have families bringing multiple children to Shorecrest, as siblings spend shadow days getting to know the community.  

This week is also a time of important religious rituals. Easter, Passover and Ramadan bring many families together and offer the opportunity to pause and reflect. For all of you who are celebrating these holidays, I wish you much happiness and joy. 

All the best, 

Nancy