What they do
-
Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Offers early childhood Greek language and cultural programs for nursery and pre-kindergarten childrenRuns dedicated nursery and pre-kindergarten programs for children ages 3–4 that introduce Greek letters, words, music, creativity, cooperation, stage performance, and basic communication skills through games and interactive learning. The curriculum emphasizes cognitive development, nonverbal communication (gestures, facial expressions), and foundational language exposure in a culturally immersive environment.
-
-
Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Organizes community service and outreach initiativesEngages students and families in community service activities such as visiting senior citizens at St. Michael’s Home, organizing fundraising walks for Ronald McDonald House, and supporting Greek diaspora families in New York facing health, safety, and basic needs challenges. Also hosts events like the Annual School Blessing (Agiasmos) and sold-out fundraisers to support educational programming.
-
-
Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Provides personalized music instruction through the Plato Music LabOffers individualized music lessons for people of all ages through the Plato Music Lab, with experienced instructors tailoring instruction to students' goals, learning styles, and musical interests. Instruction includes voice, instruments, and performance skills within a Greek cultural context.
-
-
Uncategorized 5 activities
- Delivers in-person Greek language, history, and cultural education for Pre-K to 9th grade studentsProvides structured instruction in Modern Greek language, mythology, history, geography, literature, and folk traditions through after-school and Saturday programs. Classes are offered on weekdays and Saturdays, using curricula such as "Ta Ellinika mou" and covering topics including the Greek alphabet, Aesop's myths, theogony, the Twelve Olympians, Homeric epics like the Odyssey, and Greece’s physical and political geography. The program includes exam preparation for Greek Regents and Ellinomatheia certification, which is recognized by universities in Greece, Europe, and the U.S.
- Develops permanent infrastructure for Greek cultural and educational programmingBroke ground in 2017 on a three-story, multi-purpose Greek Cultural and Community Center at 670 92nd Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn—the first of its kind in Brooklyn. The project includes construction of a permanent school facility and community hub to expand long-term educational and cultural offerings.
- Operates enrichment programs in Greek folk dance, theater, and marching bandOffers extracurricular programs in traditional Greek folk dancing, student theater productions (including performances of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex), and a 60-member student marching band. The band annually opens the Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City and has escorted the Evzones for the past five years. Dance instruction culminates in an annual community show, and students engage in cultural traditions such as creating May Day wreaths (Protomagiatiko Stefani).
- Provides online Greek language instruction for children, teens, and adultsOffers live, interactive online Greek language classes via video software at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for learners of all ages. Includes weekly one-hour small-group classes and one-on-one tutoring options. The program, branded as Plato Kosmos, supports real-world language use for visitors or temporary residents in Greek-speaking communities and aligns with A1-level competencies such as introducing oneself, exchanging personal information, and handling daily transactional situations.
- Supports Greek language learning with digital resources and curriculum toolsIncludes free access to Ellinopoula.com as part of tuition for online and in-person programs, providing families with an estimated $20 monthly savings. This digital platform enhances engagement through fun and interactive content aligned with classroom instruction.
-
Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petros Fourniotis | Executive Dir. | 40 | $53K |
- John Demetriades — Parliamentarian
Who they work with
- Ellinopoula.com Partner — Integrated educational platform used by teachers to enhance the curriculum in online Greek language classes.
- Evzones (Elite Greek National Guard) Partner — Selected to escort the Evzones during the Annual Greek Independence Day Parade for the past five years.
- Hellenic Dance Festival Partner — Awarded the Greek School of Plato a Silver Medal for excellence in traditional Greek dance
- Plato Network — Named as an affiliated entity in the organization's title and mission, reflecting a philosophical and educational network connection.
- Plato Kosmos Partner — Online virtual program launched by the Greek School of Plato to deliver Modern Greek language instruction.
- Ronaldald McDonald House Partner — Students participate in fundraising and sponsorship walks in support of the organization.
- St. Michael’s Senior Citizen Home Partner — Students visit to bring joy to elders through intergenerational engagement.
- State Sen. Marty Golden Government — Participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new community center
- The Greek School of Plato Preschool Partner — Operates the nursery program in affiliation with the Greek School of Plato Ltd.
- WABC Radio Partner — Celebrated Greek Independence Day with coverage featuring the Greek School of Plato
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Driven Cultural Preservationmethodology: community-supported_educationBy involving trained teachers, volunteers, parents, and alumni in educational programming and community service, the organization sustains Greek-American and Philhellenic cultural identity across generations, because collective participation strengthens communal ownership and democratic values rooted in Hellenic tradition.
- Culturally-Integrated Language Learningmethodology: culture-integrated_language_learningBy teaching the Greek language alongside cultural education, including arts, humanities, and experiential immersion, the organization fosters deeper engagement and intergenerational transmission of Hellenic heritage, because cultural context enhances linguistic retention and identity formation.
- Flexible & Remote Access Modelmethodology: remote-live-instructionBy delivering live, interactive Greek language instruction remotely through small-group and one-on-one online formats with flexible scheduling, the organization increases accessibility for geographically dispersed or underserved learners, because removing logistical barriers enables broader participation without sacrificing pedagogical quality.