Alta Vista principal named SCOPE Boundary Crosser

Alta Vista Elementary School Principal Barbara Shirley will be recognized by Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence or SCOPE as the 2016 Boundary Crosser.

SCOPE describes Boundary Crossers as civic leaders who “connect people across lines that traditionally divide community.”

As principal of a Title 1 school Shirely has taken a two-generation approach to education with the Eagle Academy summer program.  

Through the free program more than 352 kindergarten through third grade students have attended the free program. Over the course of seven weeks students are immersed in academic and arts enrichment programs in an attempt to prevent summer learning loss. 

The Eagle Academy has grown to include a Parent University with classes to improve employment opportunities for Alta Vista Elementary parents. 

“Selecting Dr. Shirley as the 2016 Boundary Crosser was a unanimous decision,” said Tom Tryon in a release, SCOPE Board Chair.“As principal of Alta Vista Elementary, Dr. Shirley engaged philanthropists, teachers and partners, neighbors and citizens to build the Eagle Academy with a vital goal: help pupils and parents learn the skills they need to succeed. The academy has changed lives for the better, shaped our ideas about how learning and collaboration take place -- and inspired educators here and around the country.”  

Shirley will be recognized during the Sept. 13 annual celebration. She joins the company of past Boundary Crossers including Carolyn Johnson, Cathy Layton, Sandra Terry, Christine Jennings, Dr. Larry Thompson, Diane McFarlin, Pam Truitt, Dan Bailey, Isabel Norton, C.J. Fishman, Bob Richardson and Syd Adler.