Plato Academy Charter School

My Children Attend the Tarpon Springs Location: It's sad when I go through the reviews and see a negative comment about Plato Tarpon. To call out a principal by name is low. Honestly, if you do not care for the way Plato or the principal does things, you can do 1 of 2 things. Get involved with the PTO and make a difference or pull your kid out and send them to a public school(We'll be in greece(thanks to plato) while you are still waiting for your IPad in your new public school)) but don't whine online. Mrs. Turro shows up to every single Plato event(at the expense of her own family time, and that's because she cares). She knows her parents and children by name. I challenge anyone to know that many names. She is unable to give every parent 5 minutes during school hours because she is working. Do you believe she can stop everything during school hours because that time is good for you? Call and set a meeting, email her and if you do not get a response right away, then follow up till you do. That's the way big people do it. Oh yes and by the way the homework is not overkill, it's exactly why Plato is # 1! They expect more from the students, teachers and administrators.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend the New Tarpon Springs Campus. Nothing is either ALL bad or ALL good. However, first and foremost 1) Security is nonexistent. In the beginning of the new school year, I expressed concerns aout the campus not having any security fences/gates or cameras. After the Newton Shooting, I began writing and expressing concerns to the principal. I have received 0 feedback or responses. This is very disconcerting, and security is a must! Tarpon Plato does not have any, and anyone entering campus has immediate access to the open 4th and 5th grade buildings. The lower grades are safer, as you have to pass the front office first, before accessing the kindergarden through 3rd grade. This is the first year for a new principal. Ms. Turro, manifests substandard interpersonal communication skills/social skills. Very unapproachable and unfriendly. Bottom line, my children aren't safe; administration needs to take corrective action ASAP. Now, secondly, the teachers have ALL been very kind,communicative, and supportive. So far, the homework is overkill for the lower grades, but solutions seem possible through parent-teacher communication. Coming from private school, it's a step down.
—Submitted by a parent

PLATO Tarpon springs: Board Members and the Superintedent should be ashamed of themselves for not doing more to protect our children, especially in the wake of recent school shootings. Their expectations are to create a challenging academic atmosphere. My expectations are to create a safe and loving environement, in which to teach our children. There is a 50% piece missing here. This campus needs a serious wake up call. To compromise our children's safety is quite frankly, unacceptable. Anyone thinking of sending their child to this campus, may want to do more research. Pinellas County School board should not allow a charter school to place our children in a potetially dangerous learning environement
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest has attended from 2nd to 8th. My youngest has attended from kindergarten and is now in 5th. The parents and teachers care about the kids and it shows. When the teachers don't work out, they leave. When a parent has an issue, it is addressed. The school was (Clearwater) ranked highest of all schools in Pinellas county by the Florida Department of Education in 2012. The classes are not crowded. Even the halls, when compared to other Pinellas public schools, are not too crowded. Some beyond picky parents have posted here- who focus on the halls and bathrooms... But the point of a school is the education of the kids - and here, they do their job well. The technology is up to date - all classes have computer white boards, all students use laptops, all middle schoolers use iPads. The EOC algebra pass rate was 100% and you may take 2 additional courses on FLVS during each year of middle school, if you want.
—Submitted by a parent

Plato began as a school that taught Greek as a second language. It is extremely overcrowded, the halls at the Clearwater location were jammed with students, book bags and the bathrooms are insufficient. The extra curricular activities really comprise of after-school babysitting. Sadly, after 4th grade the school doesn't deliver like it used to. The teachers are doing their best with poor equipment and lack of space. God bless them.

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

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

The school's record speaks for itself. We agree that all three Plato Academy schools are in some need of renovations but all 3 are maintained super clean and all 3 have extensive renovations scheduled pending the final negotiations with their landlords. Plato is not known for its high cost facilities as the other public schools. Plato has chosen to place primary importance to the academic and social development program. Also, there is no strip club in back of the playground. There is a Holiday Inn Hotel but the school is separated by a solid 6 foot fence from the hotel's parking lot. The attempts to injure the Plato schools are spiteful and most likely are born out of malice and questionable motives. Again, verify for yourself. It would be more appropriate to thank the Superintendent for providing ALL of the below referenced dynamic software company products for FREE to the Plato schools. Where is the conflict of interest? Also, where is the fault if the Superintendent funds PERSONALLY the opening of additional schools in order to accommodate the existing 1650 students on the Plato wait lists. Can we say thank-you to him instead wrongful and malicious accusations?
—Submitted by a teacher

Fabulous!!!!! Where else will a student tell you the FCAT was easy. These children are prepared, challanged and held accountable. There is no sliding by here.
—Submitted by a parent

Surprised is not rating at 5 stars. Have two kids at Plato. One in middle , one in elementary. Both are challenged and motivated by teachers. Coming from private where I was paying over $15,0000 and not getting half of what Plato offers I feel VERY BLESSED for having being accepted into the Plato family.
—Submitted by a parent

THIS SCHOOL IS EXCELLENT! I'm very please with the academic this school provided for my child. coming from a private school and not getting the same education for a no cost you can't ask for more. I love the fact that they have plenty of homework, they challenge the kids, and have them do problem solving is a plus. Some people might not like the adminstrative, but I think they doing a great job providing us the best teacher and putting a high standard for our kids. I can't ask for more and I'm very BLESSED to be part of Plato family!
—Submitted by a parent

Plato Academy is an amazing school. We have been so pleased with the teachers and the administrators. Our child loves the school. Plato provides individualized attention to each student and the academics are phenomenal. Our child is reading and doing math problems at least a grade level above her existing grade. We love the school and would not want our child anywhere else. :)
—Submitted by a parent

Plato Academy Palm Harbor is a new school this year, but what an amazing school. The administration is helpful and responsive, they are personable and accessible. The teachers are wonderful. The school's environment has become like a community where all the teachers know all the students names. It has accountability and results written all over it! I have two children that attend there and we are very happy. It is a great school and I feel like this opportunity to have my children attend there is a gift. We are very lucky. The school administration has an inspired attitude to create schools in Florida that will educate and enbolden my children in a way that makes me think anything is possible. College? :-)
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a student that has been at Plato Academy for the 3rd year now. I could not be happier, especially since we were on the waiting list for over four years. The strength of staff and administrators has made me feel at ease, knowing that my child's best interests are first priorty. The small class sizes with attention to detail from discipline to academics provides an all around life lesson of education. Since becoming a Plato family member and a prior public school mom, I know my child recieves a better overall experience each and everyday.
—Submitted by a parent