Rising Up!
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
January 18, 2019
Last week I noted the importance of focusing on a priority. Mine is the completion of the second floor of our new facility. While there are other goals that are important for the advancement of the school, few others will affect every child like the second floor of our new Innovation Center and Community Commons.
The proposed uses of the second floor include:
- Middle School and Upper School Library
- Middle School and Upper School Robotics/Technology Center
- Middle School and Upper School Makerspace
- All School Learning Center spaces for OT, PT, Speech, and tutoring for all subjects and needs
- Lower School Music, Art and Spanish Classrooms
- SCA/Helping Hands work and meeting space
- Lower Schools Conference Room
- Office space for librarians, Technology staff, Learning Center Directors, Lower School PE teachers
- ~7,500 square feet of shell for future growth.
We will be reaching out to families to come see the first floor that will soon be ready for all students. It is my hope that everyone will take time to see the potential for the second floor and join the members of the community who have made a commitment to the construction of these new spaces for current and future students.
I am writing today from Jacksonville, where I am leading the pre-visit for an accreditation for FCIS. I have supported our state association by serving on the FCIS Board and by serving on accreditation teams. These activities have allowed me to get a close look at many of the schools ranked as top 10 schools in Florida by Niche. As much as I believe rankings do not give the complete picture of what makes a school great for children and their families, I realize people look at rankings. Shorecrest has moved into the top 10 list in Florida and we have an impressive national ranking alongside other independent schools.
One thing I have learned from working with these schools, most that have larger enrollment and much larger endowments than we have, is they all conduct capital campaigns and they all struggle with sustainability issues. The schools on the east coast of Florida that charge $30,000 to $40,000 have many of the same challenges we face. Is there comfort in knowing we are not alone? Not really.
However, it allows the Board, administration, faculty and me to know that we are doing a great job to allow our students and school to be competitive with larger and wealthier schools. I appreciate that the great work of the faculty and staff allows us to give our students an exceptional education. I appreciate that our Board and administrators are able to manage our resources in a responsible way that keeps us aware of our community while competing nationwide.
Cheers!
Mike
