At Pine Crest Middle School, eighth grade students are offered a unique course option centered around emergent leadership. This course aims to nurture emergent leadership abilities, with a particular focus on developing skills essential to becoming entrepreneurs and leaders. Students will learn valuable skills such as collaboration, the art of public speaking, resiliency, and adaptability which are critical for their development as future leaders.

Tara (Monteleone) McGinn is a Pine Crest School alumna from the Class of 1988 and parent to three Panthers: Megan ’20, Ashlyn ’22, and Caitlin ’25.

Beginning her Pine Crest career as a freshman in the Upper School, she returned when her oldest daughter was ready for pre-kindergarten.

Dr. Sheldon Kaplan ’66 is a licensed child and adolescent psychologist who has been on the front line for children and teenagers coping with the stress of COVID-19.

Setting your child up for success begins with you! As a parent, you are your child’s very first teacher. School readiness is not just about learning the ABCs and 123s—young children need to learn skills such as: listening to a set of instructions, following multi-step directions, becoming comfortable with routines, sitting quietly for whole group instruction, keeping hands to themselves, and self-regulation. 

Ben Schecter ’14 has always enjoyed making a positive impact on others’ lives.

A love of dentistry ignited when Dr. Brandon Alegre ’97 accompanied his sisters to a dental visit while he was a senior at Pine Crest. Seeing the University of Florida Gators logo on the orthodontist's tie launched a conversation and Brandon’s career. He opened his dental practice in 2007 after completing his residency at the Bay Pines Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

by Connor Norris ’21

In March of 2019, 13 Upper School student journalists traveled to New York City to attend the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Spring Convention. Before the conference, students had the opportunity to meet with Pine Crest alumni who work in media-related careers in the City. The alumni offered tours of their offices, spoke about their career paths, and answered students’ questions about working in media. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing about their Pine Crest experiences and reflecting upon what makes the School so special.

An important part of applying for admission to an independent school is getting to know the school and assessing if it is right for your family.

Jordyn Elliott ’16 was busy during her time as a Pine Crest student! Playing soccer for both Pine Crest and a travel team, Jordyn was thrilled when she was offered a spot on the University of California at Berkeley women’s soccer team.

Michele (McNichol) Stocker ’83 has come full circle in her Pine Crest experience over the course of 40 years— first as a student, then as an alumna, parent, and parent of an alumna, and now as Chair of the School’s Board of Trustees.

Stephanie (Shank) Correa ’87 and Tony Correa ’87 are high school sweethearts and business partners running a network of veterinary clinics and hospitals, Animal Cancer Care Clinic (ACCC). ACCC was envisioned by Stephanie, a veterinarian who saw a need for comprehensive cancer treatment for dogs and cats.

Kevin Boothe ’01 is a former professional football player, having played for the Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants.

After graduating from Pine Crest, Kevin attended Cornell University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration. He was drafted to the NFL in 2006 and returned to the classroom to earn his Master of Business Administration from The George Washington University in 2013.

Jared Firestone ’08 is a south Florida native, 2022 Olympic hopeful, and Skeleton racer.

At Pine Crest School, we believe our students must learn to be as agile and adaptable as possible.

High-brain human traits such as global understanding and empathy, deep thinking and learning, and complex problem-solving mindset through collaboration will distinguish our students and set them up for success.

Freshman Kevin Mendez ’22 and junior Tsion Yared ’20 are three-time state championship titleholders for diving and cross country, respectively.

As a Pine Crest School Class of 1981 alumna, teacher, coach, and parent of two alumni, Calla ’11 and Chandler ’14 Cissel, Jana Blackwell’s Panther Pride runs deep.

We are honored to shine a spotlight on Todd ’95 and Caroline Rosenberg. Todd is a proud Pine Crest alumnus, and he and Caroline are the parents of Dylan ’25, Julian ’28, and Gavin ’30.


For the Rosenbergs, sending their children to Pine Crest was never a question.

As class begins each day at Pine Crest, you will see a Lower School classroom in their morning meeting connecting through song or engaged in activities like mindfulness stretching.

Walk along a New York City sidewalk for long enough and you may discover a delicious slice of pizza, a one-of-a-kind retail flagship store, dozens of high-rise buildings — and miles and miles of scaffolding, also known as sidewalk sheds.

Since graduating from Pine Crest School in 2008, Dawid Goszczycki earned an undergraduate degree and returned to his native country of Poland to join his family’s bakery business.