Plato Academy was founded in 1952 as the Plato School by the Assumption Greek Orthodox community in Chicago. Initially rooted in the rich traditions of Hellenic education, the school aimed to provide an exceptional classical education. In 1999, it relocated to Niles and eventually moved to Des Plaines, where it continues to operate as an independent school. Despite these changes, Plato Academy remains committed to its founding principles, maintaining its legacy as a classical Hellenic institution with a strong focus on academic excellence and a strong emphasis on Philotimo! The school actively engages students, blending tradition with progressive student-centered education. Plato is recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), meaning the school’s educational program has been approved by ISBE.
The philosophy at Plato Academy stems from the belief that children gain a more thorough understanding of a subject if they experience it holistically. Service learning lies at the core, providing a springboard for knowledge and skill acquisition for even the youngest of children.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Plato, the great philosopher, saw education as a life-long learning process, a vigorous and constant search for truth in a free democratic environment. Plato Academy embraces this idea, striving to provide children with a solid foundation for excellence through learning, development of the creative personality in each one of them, and especially the development of critical thinking.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Challenging students to be their best selves while finding the genius in each.
PRINCIPLES OF A PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL
(from the Progressive Education Network website)
- Education must prepare students for active participation in a democratic society.
- Education must focus on students’ social, emotional, academic, cognitive and physical development.
- Education must nurture and support students’ natural curiosity and innate desire to learn. Education must foster internal motivation in students.
- Education must be responsive to the developmental needs of students.
- Education must foster respectful relationships between teachers and students.
- Education must encourage the active participation of students in their learning, which arises from previous experience.
- Progressive educators must play an active role in guiding the educational vision of our society.
✓ FACT CHECK – Schools that are: