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.

The world of apps is always changing. It can be difficult to keep up with the ones that can improve your own
productivity, not to mention knowing the ones that your children like to use. Smartphones and iPad devices have become fixtures in student’s social and academic lives, and it is important to know how your student is using them.

As an Apple Distinguished School, Shorecrest Preparatory School integrates many different apps into the curriculum through student iPads. Of course, students will download their own apps, as well. Over the last few school years, faculty and administrators have noticed that some apps are used more often and sometimes inappropriately.

The high-fives on the field and in the bleachers, the smiles when the game is going well, the collective anxiety when the game isn't clearly in our team's control -- it's easy to see how cheering for the same sports team brings fans together. Does that sense of togetherness at the game translate into benefits for the school community as a whole? Yes, it does, both for the individual student, and the school-wide community.

This week began with a holiday to remember a champion of human connection. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told us that he had, “A dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Dr. King truly wanted each of us to be recognized for ourselves.

At Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida, the faculty and student body honored Dr. King by participating in the city’s annual parade. Shorecrest's acknowledgement of Dr. King's ideals isn’t something that only happens once a year. Events throughout our school year continually remind our students to practice building connections with the broader community. One of those events is Service Week in our Upper School, it is a week of outreach that teaches our high schoolers how to build connections across cultural boundaries.

The phrase “it takes a village” to raise a child is one we toss around easily, and it's truth is evident in a strong parent-school partnership. The most successful children have a strong team supporting them throughout their educational career. All parents and students need support at one time or another, some for a short time, others for a longer time. It’s important to ask for help. Many schools offer resources, such as tutors, a Learning Center, or other faculty and staff dedicated to individualized student enrichment.