More than two decades after opening its first campus, Plato Academy has expanded from a single school in 2004 to eight K–8 campuses and one high school in 2025.
In the 2026 U.S. News rankings for elementary and middle schools, the organization scores high once again. The rankings, based on student performance in reading and mathematics, identify several Plato Academy schools among the state’s best school options.
Plato Academy Tarpon Springs earned dual recognition as both among the top elementary and middle schools in Florida, landing in the top 40 percent statewide at both levels. The campus ranks 174th among Florida middle schools and places near the top of competitive Pinellas County public middle schools.
At Plato Academy Palm Harbor, the middle school program ranked 291st statewide and broke into the county’s top 10, while the elementary division placed in the top 15 among Pinellas elementary schools. St. Petersburg’s campus showed particular middle school strength, ranking 233rd in the state and seventh in the county.
Within Pinellas County, Tarpon’s middle grades performance places it near the top of local public middle school options, while its elementary ranking offers families a solid foundation for early years. Families who enroll here can reasonably expect continuity of expectations from kindergarten through eighth grade, supported by a consistent focus on preparation for high school.
Palm Harbor: Strong performance in both divisions
Plato Academy Palm Harbor enters the 2026 rankings with a profile that balances statewide recognition and county level strength. The school is at the top 9% among Florida elementary schools and also 9% among Florida middle schools, while placing in the top 15 elementary and top 10 middle schools in Pinellas County.
Clearwater: Central campus, consistent results
Plato Academy Clearwater offers another example of school consistency, with rankings that show strength across elementary and middle school categories. The campus is listed at the top 16% among Florida elementary schools and the top 9% among Florida middle schools.
Those results, combined with the school’s central location and access to the broader Plato Academy programming in technology, arts, and Greek language, make Clearwater an appealing choice for families seeking a balanced K-8 experience.
St. Petersburg: A High Performing K-8 School
Plato Academy of St. Petersburg appears in the 2026 U.S. News tables as a school with particular strength in its middle grades on top of their very successful elementary. The campus is ranked at the top 23% among Florida elementary schools and reaches an astonishing top 7% among Florida middle schools, plus it is listed as #7 among Pinellas County Schools middle schools.
Pinellas Park: Solid, stable K-8 option
Plato Academy Pinellas Park shows up in the 2026 rankings as a campus with solid results on both sides of the K-8 spectrum. The school is ranked among the top 17% among Florida elementary schools and the top 23% among Florida middle schools.
Those rankings represent a dependable option for families who value stability and the structure of a unified K-8 campus. When combined with the organization’s systemwide focus on advanced curriculum, small school culture, and family engagement, Pinellas Park provides a steady alternative to larger, more fragmented pathways.
Tampa: A Proven Charter Success Story in Hillsborough
Plato Collegiate Academy Tampa (previously known as “Plato Academy Tampa”), which has expanded into middle and high school grades, enters the 2026 evaluation.
The campus is ranked at the top 14% among Florida elementary schools and #41 among Hillsborough County elementary schools.
For families in Hillsborough County, those results position Plato Academy Tampa as a strong tuition-free charter alternative in a large district, supported by the same plato-wide features that define the rest of the Plato Academy campuses.
Trinity: Growing strength in Pasco
Plato Academy Trinity Charter School offers a compelling option for Pasco County families, particularly at the middle school level. The campus is ranked at the top 13% among Florida middle schools.
For families moving into new neighborhoods and seeking a charter K-8 model, Trinity combines the plato academy schools experience with a small school environment.
Seminole: Recognized neighborhood charter
Plato Seminole appears in the 2026 rankings as a campus recognized across both elementary and middle school categories. The school is ranked among the top 21% of Florida elementary schools and placed among the top 25% for Florida middle schools.
These results reflect a neighborhood charter that meets the standards for inclusion among Florida’s best elementary and middle schools while operating within the steady structure of the Plato Academy schools. For families prioritizing a community feel and consistent expectations, Seminole offers a recognized, tuition free option.
Plato Academy Schools are performing at a level that places them among the top 17% of public schools in Florida
This top tier placement gives families confidence that choosing any of the Plato campuses means entering a culture where strong academics are the norm, not the exception. It also underscores the value of the organization’s shared curriculum, instructional practices, and focus on preparation for high school, which together help maintain quality across locations.
