Our History
The Greek School of Plato was founded in Brooklyn in July 1977 as an independent Greek Afternoon School. The founders of the school joined together and raised the necessary funds to rent classrooms for one year, purchase mini-buses for student transportation and make the first down-payment on the original location of the school on 79th Street and 3rdAvenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The first Board of Directors and representatives of the school were dedicated to maintaining the Hellenic democratic spirit and Plato’s commitment to a quality, independent education.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the school continued to grow, and despite some economic setbacks, endured the obstacles in pursuit of its mission: promoting Hellenic heritage though afternoon schooling and programming to new generations of Greek-American students in the greater Southwest Brooklyn area.
In the early 2000s, the Greek School of Plato operated out of rented school space in Bay Ridge’s public schools and in 2010, plans were announced to build a permanent home for the school and Brooklyn’s first ever Greek Cultural and Community Center at 670 92nd Street, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Made possible with the generous contributions of the Greek School of Plato’s supporters, ground broke at the site on Sunday, September 10, 2017.
In 2020, the Greek School of Plato launched Plato Kosmos, an online virtual program for children and adults to learn the Modern Greek language, who otherwise did not have access to a Greek language education. Currently, there are a number of students enrolled in Plato Kosmos from across the United States.
The Afternoon and Saturday School offers an array of classes for students from Pre-K to 9th grade, including Greek language, literature, mythology, history, geography, and folk dance, as well as preparation for the Greek Regents exam and Ellinomatheia exams. The School’s Marching Band, which has the distinct honor of opening the annual Greek Independence Parade in NYC, is comprised of students from 5th to 9th grades, and Greek School of Plato alumni.
The plans for the school and community center reflected a longstanding goal: a permanent home for future generations. The school’s current address is 670 92nd Street in Brooklyn.
Our History Begins With a Community
Our history starts in July 1977, when families in Brooklyn established an independent Greek afternoon school. The founders raised funds for classrooms, transportation, and the first payment toward the original location on 79th Street and 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge. These practical beginnings show the connection between an educational purpose and the people willing to support it. The school grew from a shared commitment to give younger generations access to Greek language and culture.
Reading our history is also a way to understand the school’s present identity. Its educational work is connected with Hellenic heritage, community participation, and the relationships between generations. The mission and vision describe that continuing purpose. The school introduction explains how the institution presents its work today.
Growth, Persistence, and a Permanent Home
The original history describes growth through the 1980s and 1990s, alongside the economic obstacles the school had to navigate. In the early 2000s, classes operated from rented space in Bay Ridge public schools. Plans for a permanent home and a Greek cultural and community center at 670 92nd Street were announced in 2010. The groundbreaking took place on September 10, 2017.
These milestones belong within our history because they show how educational work depends on buildings, resources, and sustained community support as well as on classroom teaching. The school’s current website lists 670 92nd Street as its Brooklyn location. Families planning to visit can find contact details and directions on the contact page rather than relying on an address mentioned in an older school story.
Our History and New Ways to Learn
In 2020, the school launched Plato Kosmos as an online Greek language program for children and adults. That development added another format for people seeking Greek language education. The existing history notes participation from learners across the United States. The current program page provides a separate place to explore the online classes and ask about a suitable course.
Our history therefore includes continuity and change: a longstanding educational purpose alongside different settings and tools for learning. Online classes do not erase the importance of the Brooklyn school community. They offer another way to encounter its language education. Read the Plato Kosmos information for current details, since a historical launch date is different from a present-day timetable.
Language, Culture, and School Memories
The school-year program serves children from Pre-K through grade 9. Its wider educational offering connects Greek language with history, traditions, music, dance, and other cultural activities. These different areas help explain why a school history includes performances, celebrations, and community participation as well as classes. The programs overview shows the range of activities described on the website.
Graduates and families also carry personal memories of the school. The alumni page invites graduates to connect and share their experiences. Such memories complement our history without replacing the dated milestones recorded here. Together, the institutional timeline and individual stories offer different perspectives on what it means to sustain a Greek school across generations.
Explore Our History in the Present
To continue exploring our history, use the blog and media gallery alongside this timeline. School news and videos show activities from different parts of the community. The faculty and board directories introduce people currently listed on the website. These resources help connect the founding story with the school as families encounter it today.
The broader language heritage can also be explored through the Centre for the Greek Language’s educational portal. For questions about today’s classes, contact the school office or review the relevant program page. Our history explains the background; current registration and course information provide the practical next step for a new learner.
