Plato Academy Charter School

My daughter attends the Seminole campus and being it's a new school I waited until the end of the school year to give my assessment . We moved to Florida a year ago and really researched the schools in the area. We were coming from a state and, more importantly, a school that had on average much higher academic standards than what I thought Florida had to offer. Plato has been a pleasant surprise. My daughter is in second grade and in the gifted program. She absolutely loves it. Her teachers (especially her second grade teacher) goes above and beyond my expectations of what I would consider a good educator. It's not all about academics at Plato. My daughter's teacher has done an amazing job helping her students to really care about one another and foster a sense of community while making sure each individual child's academic needs are being met. The principal is very approachable and you can tell she really cares about all the children. We feel so lucky to have found such an amazing place for our daughter.
--Submitted by a parent

(continued) Gifted program sends nothing home either and I have no idea what goes on when my child is there. PE teacher and classes are good. Classrooms are tiny and there is no library. Field trips are more frequent than at other schools. No buses = parents have to drive the kids all over for off campus things that sometimes make no sense. 45 minutes one way to a pumpkin patch to hear a quick story and pick out a little pumpkin! Also, parents who are able and kind enough to drive have to pay admission to wherever they go. All of the trips and admissions can get expensive. Unless you are miserable where you are and don't have any other options, then Plato Seminole is OK. Otherwise, don't go. Too much wrong to make up for the few positives.
--Submitted by a parent

I am not happy with this school either. Although they speak of high academics they do not require that the kids actually complete the work correctly and on time. Now that my child is ready to move on to high school he is definitely at a disadvantage as he has not really had to do any real work for the past 8 years. This year he does have one teacher that is making him apply himself and it has been a struggle for him. It is a shame that he was not exposed to teachers like that throughout his schooling at the Clearwater campus. For too many years his homework was accepted late (as in right before the end of the grading period).
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attend the Largo location, and I couldn't be happier. The staff is excellent, and everyone knows our names. The teachers are qualified and caring. The classes are equipped with state of the art teaching tools. The rooms are always clean, and the days run so smoothly. I don't know how they do it! 5 stars!
--Submitted by a parent

Great School. My son has learned a lot of new things. They really care for your children.
--Submitted by a parent

The Clearwater Plato campus is overcrowded. The elementary school education is good but not the middle school. The school administration is overseen by a for profit company and does not respond to parents. Too many decisions are being made by for profit company rather than the administration. Many good families have left the school. The school has expanded too fast and is loosing the good things it used to have. The language program is only 30 or 40 min per day and at a low level. There is no computer lab or classes/instruction but some grades have laptops in classroom. Most of the teachers are good but are pushed to teach totally to the FCAT test. I would guess that all public schools are like this. The school teaches to the middle/average student almost entirely. As you can tell by the two types of reviews on this site, there is a growing divide at the school.
--Submitted by a parent

Plato Academy is a charter school being offered to the public as one choice. Parents have the choice of many other charter schools, fundamentals, magnets, local public schools, or private schools. I am glad I had Plato as a choice. Believe me, I looked into all of the above for my kids. Plato has opened its doors to all children and strives to meet the needs of those students, low performing, average, and gifted, regardless of federal mandates. Plato consistently asks, "What do the kids need?" If it's tutoring, they get it. If it's enrichment, they get it. This happens in the classroom and via pull out services. Plato consistently asks, "How do we make learning fun?" The scores show the quality of the learning. Thank you to Plato, the staff and faculty, the Assistant Principal, Principal, and Superintendent, many of whom have their children at this school and are committed on a personal level in addition to a professional level. Thank you to the students who work hard, and families who work hard at home to make the learning happen. Anyone who disagrees with this assessment of the school, please consider your other options.
--Submitted by a parent

(Post continued June 18, 2011) There are other goals, too. Educators are excellent listeners & when necessary, can find a way to respond swiftly if something needs to be improved. Overall, they respond to feedback and implement change asap. This is a dynamic, growing and successful school. Plato families are very blessed. It is a free education; a private school atmosphere paid for with public school dollars - indeed a best use of our tax dollars. The superintendent is a businessman wise enough to hire educators to run the school without glitz or glitter. Highly credentialed & experienced educators hold key roles as Vice Principal & Principal - not to mention an in-house Gifted program. It resulted spontaneously as highly gifted students - were drawn to Plato Academy. These gifted young persons have an in-house place to expand their thinking. Of course, there is ample tutoring for all learners in all subjects. Hence, this all wraps up to a solid framework for success: fiscal strength & excellent educators placed in leading & teaching roles. I would hope to hear more feedback from faculty. I would like to see faculty verbalizing their feelings. They need to be happy, too.
--Submitted by a parent

We are very frustrated with overcrowding in this school. Where is the Florida DOE oversight? PCSB Board Members endorse this school? Our school pays the management company 14% of gross tuition plus a growing "deferred compensation debt" each year; and we expect a clean, healthy and robust learning environment for our children. But instead, we're getting 342 elementary and middle school students plus a growing number of Pre-K students in one facility with two bathrooms. Our eyes are open and the research is chilling!
--Submitted by a parent

If your children attend Plato then you know how wonderful this program is. My children are not only learning, they are becoming well balanced kids who are part of a family at Plato. The teachers create such a mentally stimulating atmosphere that our kids are eager to learn, read, discover and grow. Homework is not a chore but an extension of what they learned that day and they are excited to share their homework assignments with us. The staff maintain their professionalism while making our kids feel like their are their own and when I celebrate their successes both small and large, their teachers are celebrating with me. The parents of Plato have chosen the road less traveled and there is a reason--our children do not go with the flow, they determine the direction of the flow because they are leaders. This is all because of the brilliant minds of the staff who I feel honored to have inspiring my children.
--Submitted by a parent