UPPER SCHOOL
2025-2026
2025-2026
Dear Upper School Families,
Our first full week of school was an opportunity for students to begin establishing routines. We had our first Monday Morning Meeting. Led by Student Council Co-Presidents, Kaelie Dieter ’26 and Luke Lavoie ’26, this weekly assembly of the student body and faculty includes important academic and co-curricular announcements, details of upcoming events, as well as fun games and performances designed to strengthen our community and showcase our student’s talents. This past week also included our first of many safety drills (a tornado drill). Every year we train our faculty and students on safety protocols, including what to do during tornado, fire and lockdown events.
We are taking steps to ensure our dress code is consistently upheld. Last week we focused on re-establishing expectations, but moving forward we will be more strictly enforcing policies. Beginning this Tuesday, students not in compliance will receive a detention. Please be aware that accumulating three dress code detentions will result in a referral to the Conduct Review Committee. We are reminding students of the key areas of concern, which include shorts, skirts, and pants made of sweatpant material; shirts that do not cover the midriff; shorts and skirts that are too short; and athletic shorts with drawstrings or elastic waistbands. This is not meant to be punitive but is necessary to maintain a consistent and respectful learning environment for all.
Thursday, September 4, is school picture day (Grades 5-11). We have a new photographer this year. Order forms will not be sent home in advance as in past years. All orders will be made online after the photos are processed.
We look forward to seeing you Thursday night. We will begin at 7pm in the Janet Root Theatre. After a brief presentation, you will meet your child’s Advisor. There, you will follow your child’s academic schedule and meet their teachers.
The drop/add deadline for courses is September 17. Students who wish to add or drop a course must do so by this date by meeting with Dean Frey.
This year a new policy has been introduced to better support transitions from an honors course to a college prep course. The deadline for these changes has been extended to October 15, allowing students additional time to adjust to the honors curriculum and determine whether it is the right fit. No schedule changes of this type will be permitted after October 15.
Our students have been doing a great job with driving and parking on campus. While we will continue to remind students of the rules, please help us reinforce the following:
Drive slowly (15MPH). Be very careful at the crosswalks on campus.
Follow the direction of our Facilities and Campus Safety staff that are assisting with traffic. They will report poor driving to us and there are many cameras available to help us identify drivers and their vehicles.
Watch for pedestrians and bikers on the First Street sidewalks. Stop and look behind the stop sign.
All student vehicles on campus are required to be registered and should have a small registration sticker inside the driver-side windshield. Students can come to the US office to register and receive their sticker.
Starting this week, science teacher and coach Bernie Kozlowski will be offering lessons on relaxation techniques for students on Tuesdays. Encourage your child to attend these short but helpful sessions designed to provide easy tools for reducing stress.
Each Sunday, Student Council Secretary Ellie Beatty ’27 will send an email to the student body with a student version of TWIUS (This Week In Upper School). This publication includes schedule reminders, early dismissals notices for co-curricular activities and links to important documents. It also contains notices of service opportunities and important information from the College Counseling Office. It is a must read for all students. With the goal of teaching our students to be responsible and take ownership of their educational experience, please make it a point to encourage your child to read the TWIUS email each and every Sunday.
Have a wonderful week!
Erich Schneider
Head of Upper School
eschneider@shorecrest.org
727-456-7529
I hope you're all having a great start to the school year. As the Upper School Counselor, I'm reaching out to you to discuss the vital link between good nutrition and our students' focus and well-being.
Research from the National Center for Education Statistics consistently shows that students who eat a healthy breakfast have higher scores on standardized tests and improved concentration. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that adolescents and teens eat breakfast daily for improved cognitive function and academic performance.
Lately I've had more students coming to my office right at the start of the day asking for food. While I always keep snacks on hand, items like pretzels or crackers are just that—snacks. They aren't meant to provide the sustained energy needed to fuel their brains and bodies through several hours of classes.
I understand how challenging it can be to get teenagers to eat in the morning, but sending them off with even a simple, on-the-go option can make a huge difference. Foods like a bagel, yogurt, granola bar, or a smoothie can help them focus and be ready to learn until lunchtime.
Thank you for your partnership in helping our students achieve their full academic and mental potential. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Wednesday, September 3
College Counseling Meet & Greet
Thursday, September 4
Picture Day: Grades 5-11
College Counseling Senior Launch (for 12th grade parents/guardians)
Upper School Back to School Night
Friday, September 5
Charger Chat with Nancy Spencer
Tuesday, September 9
International Connection Kick Off
First Year Foundation program with College Counseling
Wednesday, September 10
Community Committee on Diversity
SCA Moms Night Out
Friday, September 12
SCA Volunteer Fair
Tuesday, September 16
Summer 2026 trip info session
Saturday, September 27
SCA Soiree Beneath the Waves: A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics
Tuesday, September 30
Sophomore Strategies - College Counseling Seminar
The Shorecrest College Counseling Office offers comprehensive programming to support students and families throughout the college search and placement process. While many College Counseling events are tailored toward particular grade levels, all interested Shorecrest families are invited to attend these College Counseling events this fall:
College Counseling Meet & Greet
Wednesday, September 3 @ 9:15am
Location: Ohana Room, Charger Commons - second floor
Casual conversation with the 4-person College Counseling team
First Year Foundation
Tuesday, September 9 @ 6pm
Location: Janet Root Theatre
Dedicated programming for ninth grade students and their families
Sophomore Strategies
Tuesday, September 30 @ 6pm
Location: Janet Root Theatre
Dedicated programming for tenth grade students and their families
The Shorecrest Advantage: Exploring Shorecrest's Upper School
Wednesday, October 15 @ 7pm
Location: Virtual
Dedicated programming for families of seventh and eighth grade students
Students, faculty and staff are photographed annually for the Crestviews yearbook. School picture day for students in 5th-11th grades is on Thursday, September 4. Order forms will not be sent home in advance this year. All photo orders may be made online after photos are processed!
Kayla Brazee, US Social Studies Department Chair and Chair of Global Scholars Initiative (GSI), is pleased to announce that the Upper School summer trip for 2026 will be to Australia and New Zealand!
The trip will take place in early July 2026 for 12 days. Highlights of the itinerary include attending a rugby showcase, visiting a Māori village, a boat ride of Sydney Harbour, a tour of The Sydney Opera House, a cruise of the Great Barrier Reef, and a snorkeling experience! The trip will be available to all current 9th-11th graders, up to 24 students.
If your child is interested in attending the trip, please register for the trip info session on Tuesday, September 16 at 7pm.
NOTE: disregard the language on the web page regarding the extension to Hawaii. That will not be part of the trip.
Starting Wednesday, September 3, Coach Jonathan Tallon is supervising an Open Gym for all students who might want to participate in Chargers basketball at the MS and US levels this upcoming season. Come work on your skills!
The sessions will run Wednesday and Friday from 7-7:45am in the Rec Gym.
Dates: Sept 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 and October 1, 3, 8, 10 and 15.
Winter Sports Sign Ups are taking place in the Athletics Office Monday, September 15 through Friday, September 19. Any Upper School student wishing to participate in basketball, soccer or cheerleading should stop by the Athletics Office during break, lunch or after school to sign up. MS students will sign up during their PE classes.
These sign ups are important as they help coaches and the Athletics Office know how many students are interested in participating in a particular sport. The Athletics Office also double checks that the students who signed up have completed all their athletics paperwork before the first practice/tryout takes place. This helps to ensure that all students are eligible to participate from day one of the new season.
ALL STUDENTS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPRING SPORT MUST BE CLEARED THROUGH THE ATHLETIC CLEARANCE SYSTEM* 72 HOURS BEFORE THEIR FIRST PRACTICE. Click here for the Athletic Clearance Guide to help you with this process.
*The Athletic Clearance system is used for collecting athletic physicals and other important Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) information for student participation in sports.
Student-specific announcements are shared by Student Council every Sunday in an email called "TWIUS" (This Week In The Upper School). This page is regularly updated by our Administrative Assistant, Fatima Morlando.
Over the summer we welcomed two new additions to the CCO Team! Mr. Richard Aufderheide and Mr. Aidan Steinly are both excited to have your students back on campus and to have the opportunity to get to know your families. Please stop by and welcome them to Shorecrest!
[Meet all new Faculty and Staff]
In order to attend visits with college representatives, your student must sign-up in Cialfo at least 24 hours in advance. Simply log-in and look for the list of colleges that will be joining us this fall. Visits will begin the week of August 25. Check out the list of amazing schools who have already booked visits with us. Check back often as the list continues to grow each day! Meeting with the visiting college reps is a great way to learn more about each institution and show your demonstrated interest. Many colleges track attendance at programs such as school visits.
College Visits:
Meet & Greet - Wednesday, September 3, 9:15–10:15am in the Ohana Community Room on the 2nd floor of Charger Commons.
Senior Launch - Thursday, September 4, 6-7pm, Janet Root Theatre. For parents/guardians of the Class of 2026 only.
First Year Foundation - Tuesday, September 9, 6-7:30pm, Janet Root Theatre. For students and families of the Class of 2029.
Sophomore Strategies - Tuesday, September 30, 6-7:30pm, Janet Root Theatre. For students and families of the Class of 2028.
Free online practice exam schedule:
If your student is planning to visit a college/take a college tour, they must complete a College Visit form prior to the day they will be absent. These are located in the Shorecrest Community Page under Forms. This digital form is quick and easy to complete.
As a reminder, Juniors are allowed three college visit absences, Seniors are allowed five.
Please join us for the Community Committee on Diversity (CCD) meeting on Thursday, September 10 at 3:30pm in the Seminar Room, Charger Commons second floor. This group is open to all community members who are interested in learning more about and being a part of the diversity efforts at Shorecrest. It is also a forum for complex and engaging conversations around timely topics related to diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Additional information coming soon.
Friday, September 5 *New Date*
The first of a monthly series of casual chats with Head of School Nancy Spencer. After Lower School Town Meeting (roughly 8:30am) in the Raymund Center. Hosted by SCA.
Tuesday, September 9
All adults in the Shorecrest community are invited to join for coffee after drop-off on Tuesday, September 9, 8:15-10am in the Ohana Community Room, 2nd floor of Charger Commons. Expect introductions, socializing, info about the group and how to get involved.
Wednesday, September 10
A chance to relax, connect and enjoy a fun evening with friends new and old. At the new Savoir on Central Ave. from 6:30-9:30!
Tickets are $20 and include light bites plus three drink vouchers.
This event is sold out. To get on the waitlist email sheibein@shorecrest.org
Friday, September 12
Learn about the many ways you can volunteer at Shorecrest and get to know fellow parents at a SCA Volunteer Fair.
After morning drop off in the Charger Commons Dining Room. Coffee and light bites will be served.
When visiting campus for an event during the school day, please loop past the football field and Middle School to park on the event parking field adjacent to the softball field. Occasionally event parking may be closed due to heavy rain. If that happens before a large school or class event, alternate parking instructions may be communicated via text message.
Limited open parking labeled "Visitor" is available in the Raymund Center lot, in front of the Middle School office, and on the west side along the median in front of Charger Commons. Visitors are also permitted to park along the fence of Pratt Blvd, weather permitting.
Each parking spot labeled "Faculty" is assigned to a specific faculty or staff member during school hours. Please leave marked "Faculty" parking spaces open for their assigned teachers and staff, who may come and go at various times.
Parking spots labeled with a "Reserved" sign and a named family are reserved at all times for the named individuals. These are one-year opportunities offered for auction at the School's annual Gala.
With campus parking at a premium, we appreciate your flexibility and understanding in sharing these guidelines with others who may come to campus to visit or pick up your child.
All campus visitors are required to check in at the Raymund Center or division main office to receive a visitor badge during the school day. Visitor badges are required to be worn at all times when on campus.
If visitors do not have a visitor badge visible, Allied Security Officers may stop to offer mobile visitor check-in. Thank you for your cooperation with our campus safety and security protocols.
Join us Friday mornings for coffee on campus! Offered most Fridays throughout the school year, local vendors set up shop outside of the Raymund Center offering coffee drinks for purchase. Enjoy a coffee before Lower School Town Meeting, grab a coffee to go before a SCA meeting or Charger Chat, or take your coffee to shop at the School Store! Coffee carts are available roughly 7:15-9:15am.
A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics
Saturday, September 27, 7-11pm at FloridaRAMA
You are formally invited to a sparkling evening at this year’s SCA Soiree – Beneath the Waves: A Florida Cocktail Odyssey presented by Mann Orthodontics on Saturday, September 27, at FloridaRAMA.
The event will feature delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and music. Adults only (21+).
(This is a night of building community. We’re saving the auctions for the springtime Gala.)
Early bird ticket sales conclude on September 5, after that the price goes up to $100/per person.
All families have free access to the Shorecrest Parent app via the App Store and Google Play. The Shorecrest Parent app allows families to access all of their FACTS Family Portal information, including a family directory, schedules, billing information, and more. The Shorecrest app is also a hub for Monday Division Heads Letters, Shorecrest News archives and all-school emails, lunch information, links to documents like Handbooks and curriculum guides, and more.
Check out the Shorecrest School Store popup shop in the Athletic Center during the volleyball games on Wednesday, September 3 starting at 5:30pm.
Come by and grab hats, stadium seats, water bottles and much more!
Shop the School Store for Shorecrest spiritwear, gifts, snacks, drinks and more!
Mon-Thurs 11:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Credit cards, checks, and Apple Pay accepted (sorry, no cash or SAGE accounts). Students under grade 9 must have parent/guardian present to purchase during the school day.