Why Do Harvard University Researchers Recommend Plato Academy Schools K-8 Model?
Plato Academy Charter Schools, a family of nine successful K-8 schools in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties, are setting the foundations for happy and successful students.
Families have been choosing Plato Academy Schools since 2004 for their small K-8 settings, where all students are well-known by many caring adults who work at the school, and the challenging curriculum, which is taught in an enthusiastic and nurturing environment by highly qualified teachers. Our middle school students in particular appreciate having a strong group of friends when they start sixth grade, knowing that their teachers are kind in advance, and where they feel safe and focused on having fun learning and participating in sports and clubs after school.
In our schools, all students have access to technology either by using their school ipads for Kindergarten through 1st grade, or their own school laptops for 2nd through 8th. In addition, every classroom is equipped with an interactive board. It’s not a coincidence that our students score among the highest on state assessments each and every year! Before and after care enrichment programs, teachers tutoring in reading, writing, math, and Greek, as well as families encouraged to be involved at school and at home, form a community that helps students flourish.
Daily PE and recess, weekly Art and Music, and organized after school sports like basketball, hockey, soccer, and flag football provide an all around education encouraging each of our students to find and develop their unique skills and talents.
One more thing that makes Plato Academy Schools set apart is that we teach the Greek language, culture, and history to all our students with lessons daily. We celebrate important events from Greek history and bring them to life through re-enactments such as the Olympic Games opening ceremony. Find out more at: https://platoacademy.net/greek-influence/
Greek language, philosophy, and overall way of thinking have influenced our western society like no other. Take for example the influence in architecture, science, logic, questioning and experimentation. Thucydides is taught in military academies and Plato’s work inspires our communities still even today. We want to continue to embed these high levels of approaching and acquiring of knowledge for our students using Greek instruction.
Harvard University* researchers have concluded that K-8 schools are better learning environments for children, especially during the transition to middle school. The Plato Academy middle school experience ensures that our students are not just a number. With between 150-200 6-8th grade students at each of our schools , Plato Academy middle schoolers transition easily out of elementary school and don’t suffer the learning losses and stressful switch to a middle school with over 1,000 students. Instead, Plato Academy 5th graders matriculate up with their peers who are already aware of the high behavioral and academic expectations that are nurtured early on. At Plato Academy we provide this environment from Kindergarten all the way to 8th grade with all our students receiving the same care and education they deserve in order to achieve their dreams and success in life.
At Plato Academy Schools, we assist our students in achieving their full potential by requiring and nurturing high academic and behavioral standards in a safe, supporting, challenging, and enthusiastic environment, providing a well-rounded K-8 education fortified by a study of the Greek language and culture, and fostered by a commitment and cooperative effort among the school, students, parents, and community: our family.
* https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/ed/12/09/do-middle-schools-make-sense
* https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/12/02/middle-school-plunge
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The mission of the Plato Academy Charter Schools is to assist students in achieving their full potential by requiring and nurturing high academic and behavioral standards in a safe, supporting, challenging, and enthusiastic environment, providing a well-rounded K-8 education fortified by a study of the Greek language and culture, and fostered by a commitment and cooperative effort among the school, students, parents, and community: our family.
The vision of Plato Academy Charter Schools is to progress as a family in which all are teachers and learners and are empowered and encouraged to exceed expectations, resulting in successful graduates ready to advance into their next stage of life, equipped with a well-rounded K-8 education fortified by the study of the Greek language and culture, and excited about continuing to achieve their full potential.
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