Shorecrest Preparatory School Blog

Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes

Dr. Spencer-Carnes has more than 30 years of experience in education and administration, 21 of which at Shorecrest. Jean has held a number of posts in her two-decade career at Shorecrest: a member of the teaching faculty, Lower School and Middle School dean of curriculum, and Director of The Learning Center. Jean holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Sarasota, Argosy, as well as a Masters in School Law and Administration from The University of Michigan. Jean is an active and engaged member of the St. Petersburg community, serving on various non-profit boards for both social and cultural organizations.
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Recent Posts

Does Attending Private School Help to Win a College Scholarship?

Posted by Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes on Jun 10, 2019 11:20:26 AM

As high school seniors across the country decide where to go to college, their parents are faced with helping them decide how to manage the costs of an undergraduate degree. The fees can be daunting, and parents of upcoming graduates may wonder what can be done to improve their student’s chance of winning a scholarship.

Attending one of the top private schools in your area, like Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida, won’t guarantee you a college scholarship. However, smaller class sizes, individual attention, and close relationships with faculty and advisors will ensure that your student has the best opportunity to find the school that is right for them. A school that offers a wide range of athletic, cultural and extracurricular opportunities also ensures a chance for your student to discover the activities that interest them most and to excel in those areas.

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Topics: Private School, High School, Parenting, Indpendent Schools, Education with Values

Core Values in Action - Holiday Gift Drive

Posted by Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes on Dec 13, 2018 2:00:00 PM

Empathy among young people is a popular conversational theme these days. Indeed, educators across the country have noticed a need to teach basic moral values in the classroom. An article by teacher Paul Barnwell in “The Atlantic”, expounds the reasons for that trend, and gives examples of teachers taking lessons outside the classroom and into the community to give students valuable moral insight. Mr. Barnwell notes that while schools say high moral standards are embedded in a rigorous curriculum, it’s rare to see those values in action.

At Shorecrest Preparatory School, in St. Petersburg, Florida, the core values held by the school are actively modeled. The largest single demonstration of our community's commitment to Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, Knowledge and Compassion happens every year at the holiday season. Students, faculty, administrators and parents join together to provide gifts to children in foster care. 

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Topics: Education Best Practice, respect, traditions, Core Values, culture, Holidays, Service Learning, Community, Parent Involvement, Volunteer, Empathy in Schools, Education with Values

"Why Shorecrest?"

Posted by Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes on Oct 31, 2018 11:00:00 AM

From tuition to curriculum there are so many things to consider when choosing a school. Once you have decided where your children will get the best experience, you may find yourself trying to articulate precisely what drew you in.

  • Was it the studies and activities students were engaged in when you visited?
  • Was it the feeling the school gave you about what your child’s future might be?
  • Was it that the people connected to the school were impressive people?

Only the people who have experienced a school can tell you what it really did for them. Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida, is proud of its students, alumni and parent community. Our Mission to create lifelong learners, who maintain standards of excellence and serve others is being achieved on a daily basis. Take a look at what our community has to say:

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Topics: Insider, Private School, Inside Shorecrest, Parenting, relocating, pinellas, shorecrest, st petersburg, Community, Student and Faculty Perspectives

Parent Participation Drives the Family-School Partnership

Posted by Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes on Oct 24, 2018 11:24:08 AM

Volunteer opportunities are often a way to be of service to others, to stretch our comfort zone and reach out to the wider community. It's important to remember that volunteering can start very close to home in the parent school partnership. Within your child's educational environment, there are daily opportunities to do a task small or large that makes students and schools stronger. Parent involvement in schools is widely recognized by educationally focused institutions like PBS. You can find a whole page dedicated to tips and ideas for parent involvement in schools at  www.pbs.org. The introduction to that page reads, "Parents are the cornerstone to helping kids get a good education."

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Topics: Parenting, shorecrest, culture, Diversity and Inclusion, Community, Parent Involvement, Volunteer

Doing the Math for Tuition

Posted by Dr. Jean Spencer-Carnes on Oct 3, 2018 8:00:00 AM

You’ve found the school! It offers an outside the box approach to curriculum, and a relatively convenient location. There are fantastic teachers and special programs. It's an independent school, and that means tuition. You are sure your child will thrive in this learning environment, if you can manage the cost. Don't let tuition be the deciding factor for which school your child will attend.  Putting the pieces together may be easier than it seems.

Schools like Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida, understand that the cost of school can be a hurdle. While some families may be in a position to simply write a check, that certainly isn’t the case for every family who is part of an independent school community. Many independent schools are committed to helping families manage tuition costs, and offer a number of payment options.

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Topics: Financial Aid, Indpendent Schools