{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Plato Academy Clearwater","outOfStateSupporters":20.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1943283,"projectId":9025469,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom began the school year with a beautiful new rug and essential classroom supplies that made an immediate difference for my students. The rug quickly became the heart of our room—where we gather for lessons, story time, and meaningful conversations each day.\r\nThe additional supplies you provided helped us start the year organized, prepared, and ready to learn. Your support created a warm, welcoming environment where students feel comfortable, confident, and excited to come to school.\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and in the success of every child who walks through our door. Your kindness truly changed our space and our school year.","fullyFundedDate":1746629027347,"projectUrl":"project/a-rainbow-of-possibilities/9025469/","projectTitle":"A Rainbow of Possibilities!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fordham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1943283_orig.jpg?crop=1023,1023,x0,y201&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1735777585665","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-rfordham"},{"teacherId":8580513,"projectId":9612005,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our classroom. Because of your support, we now have a beautiful new carpet and flexible seating options that truly transform our learning environment.\r\n\r\nOur students are already benefiting from the cozy, welcoming space—gathering on the carpet for lessons, collaborating more comfortably, and taking pride in a classroom that feels like home. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in their daily learning experience, and we are incredibly grateful.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and in the success and happiness of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1755715843315,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-space-to-learn-and-grow/9612005/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Space to Learn and Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Becker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8580513_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755433515948","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8580513"},{"teacherId":5583918,"projectId":9286966,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom project! The materials you provided have made such a wonderful difference in our learning environment. The decorations have brightened our classroom and created a welcoming space where students feel proud to learn. The privacy shields help my students focus during independent work, while the bins keep our supplies organized and easy to access. The new books have added excitement to our classroom library and encouraged students to read more often. And our new pencil sharpener has already become a student favorite—keeping us ready to learn each day!\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity have truly impacted my students' daily learning experience and made our classroom a more engaging, organized, and positive place to grow. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1749580034700,"projectUrl":"project/chaos-to-cozy-building-our-dream-4th-gr/9286966/","projectTitle":"Chaos to Cozy: Building Our Dream 4th Grade Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tonya Sully","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5583918_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1540405326961","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5583918"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":9346108,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our music room now has a sturdy locking cabinet—and the difference it has made is incredible! We are using it every day to safely store tissues, paper towels, soap refills, and cleaning supplies that keep our attached bathroom and classroom space running smoothly. Having everything neatly organized and secure has created a calmer, more focused environment for our students.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new cabinet, they were curious and excited. Many commented on how \"official\" and \"grown-up\" it made the space feel, and they immediately noticed how much tidier the room looked. Knowing that supplies are protected has helped cut down on wasted materials and has reinforced the idea that our classroom is a shared space to be respected.\r\n\r\nBecause of this project, I can spend more time on music-making and less time worrying about misplaced or tampered supplies. Our next steps in class are preparing for rhythm ensemble performances, and I know the organized environment will help students stay focused on learning, playing, and collaborating without distractions.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us the tools to keep our music room safe, organized, and inspiring for every student who enters!","fullyFundedDate":1752586446428,"projectUrl":"project/secure-storage-for-a-safe-and-tidy-bathr/9346108/","projectTitle":"Secure Storage for a Safe and Tidy Bathroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":9178570,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students now have two new keyboards in the music room—and the impact has been immediate! With more instruments available, students are spending much more time actively practicing rather than waiting for their turn. This extra hands-on time has helped them strengthen their coordination, apply music theory in real time, and grow more confident in their piano skills.\r\n\r\nTechnology like these keyboards is especially powerful in schools because it allows us to create interactive, collaborative lessons. Students can pair up to practice together, experiment with different sounds and settings, and even compose short melodies. The ability to touch, hear, and see the results instantly makes music learning more engaging and meaningful than worksheets or theory alone ever could.\r\n\r\nWhat excites our students most about the new keyboards is the chance to explore independently. They love testing rhythms, layering sounds, and challenging themselves with new pieces. I've already seen several students—who were once hesitant to play—become more eager to participate now that the keyboards are accessible. One quiet student in particular has warmed to the piano so much that they've started volunteering to play for the class, something they never would have attempted before.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our musicians and giving them the tools to grow. Your support has made our music room more vibrant, collaborative, and inspiring than ever!","fullyFundedDate":1746787025893,"projectUrl":"project/keys-to-success-help-us-add-more-keyboa/9178570/","projectTitle":"Keys to Success: Help Us Add More Keyboards!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":9178667,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our percussion project! Because of your generosity, my students now have the tools they need to fully participate in music-making. The new drumsticks, sand blocks, and wood mallets are already making a huge difference—every child can join in with confidence, knowing they have sturdy, high-quality instruments to use.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have transformed our classroom. Students can now dive into rhythm activities without worrying about broken or missing equipment, which means more focus on developing their coordination, teamwork, and musicality. I've already seen the joy on their faces as they experiment with new sounds, collaborate in ensembles, and proudly keep the beat together.\r\n\r\nYour support goes beyond instruments—it gives students the chance to experience the power of music as a community. Thank you for believing in their potential and helping them grow as confident young musicians.","fullyFundedDate":1742908772334,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-the-beat-replacing-worn-out-per/9178667/","projectTitle":"Keeping the Beat: Replacing Worn-Out Percussion Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":8383806,"letterContent":"Our music classroom is always filled with energy, and thanks to your support, we're excited to introduce hula hoops as a fun and interactive way to enhance learning! These hoops will help students develop rhythm and coordination through movement-based games, making music education more engaging than ever. One of the most exciting moments was watching students use the hoops to step, jump, and dance in time with the beat—turning rhythm exercises into an exciting challenge that kept everyone involved. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the hula hoops, their eyes lit up with excitement, eager to see how they'd be used in class. Beyond movement activities, the hoops have also helped us organize and sort instruments, making setup and cleanup smoother while reinforcing proper instrument care. As we continue incorporating them into lessons, we look forward to even more creative ways to inspire teamwork and musical exploration. Thank you for making this possible and for helping our students discover the joy of music in new and exciting ways!","fullyFundedDate":1715285387995,"projectUrl":"project/hoops-for-harmony-empowering-music-educ/8383806/","projectTitle":"Hoops for Harmony: Empowering Music Education Through Hula Hoops","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":8979820,"letterContent":"Our \"Rockstar of the Week\" program has been a beloved tradition in our music classroom, encouraging students to give their best effort and demonstrate positive behavior. Each week, two hardworking students earn the honor of sitting in our special bean bag chairs, a simple but exciting reward that makes them feel like true VIPs. Your generous support will help us continue this tradition by replacing our well-loved but worn-out chairs with sturdy new ones. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the original chairs, their excitement was undeniable—they worked even harder to earn their spot, and the tradition quickly became something they looked forward to each week. With new bean bag chairs, our \"Rockstars\" will continue to feel celebrated, and the program will remain a fun and motivating part of our classroom culture. Thank you for helping us create an environment where students feel valued, encouraged, and inspired to shine!","fullyFundedDate":1736983406259,"projectUrl":"project/tune-in-and-lounge-out-bean-bags-for-mu/8979820/","projectTitle":"Tune in and Lounge Out: Bean Bags for Music Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":8979803,"letterContent":"Our music classroom has been buzzing with excitement as students explore and learn on our classroom pianos! Thanks to your generous support, students now have greater access to the instruments, allowing them to work independently and collaboratively. One of the most rewarding moments was watching a group of middle schoolers use the new headphone splitters to compose their own duet, experimenting with melodies and harmonies in real time. Younger students have also gained confidence in their playing, eagerly taking turns at the keyboards without hesitation. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new setup, their excitement was contagious—they rushed to the pianos, eager to try them out! They were thrilled to have more opportunities to practice, and the new accessibility has made a significant difference in their learning. With just one more shelf to complete our setup, every student in our elementary and middle school music classes will have the chance to play without limitation. We're looking forward to using these resources to introduce even more collaborative music projects, fostering creativity, teamwork, and a lifelong love of music. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1736981462243,"projectUrl":"project/piano-shelves-for-safety/8979803/","projectTitle":"Piano Shelves for Safety","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"},{"teacherId":5626308,"projectId":8146401,"letterContent":"Drumming has always been a favorite in our music classroom, and thanks to your support, our students are finally able to enjoy percussion again! Since our music room is located in the kindergarten hallway, we had to pause using our larger drums to avoid overwhelming the younger students with loud sounds. Now, with a class set of hand drums, students can explore rhythm and percussion at an appropriate volume while still experiencing the joy of drumming. Watching their excitement as they picked up the drums for the first time was incredible—they couldn't wait to play again! \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new drums, they immediately started tapping out rhythms, grinning from ear to ear. It has been wonderful to see them engage with percussion after missing it for so long. As we move forward, we're excited to use these drums for rhythm exercises, ensemble performances, and creative composition activities. Your generosity has brought drumming back to our classroom, and we couldn't be more grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1712084575013,"projectUrl":"project/frame-drums-for-dynamic-drumming-levels/8146401/","projectTitle":"Frame Drums for Dynamic Drumming Levels Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali Thorsen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5626308_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533521386157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thorsenmusic"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_75153","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":616,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":32,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":55,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"22.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":79.6,"schoolId":75153,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Plato Academy Clearwater on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Plato Academy Clearwater","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/pinellas-county-schools/plato-academy-charter-school-clearwater/75153"}
Join the 162 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Plato Academy Clearwater is
an urban public school
in Clearwater, Florida that is part of Pinellas County Schools.
It serves 616 students
in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 22.8:1.
Its teachers have had 58 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades K - 8
616 Students
27 Teachers
2045 Palmetto StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
36%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Plato Academy Clearwater Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Plato Academy Clearwater
$27,162
raised using DonorsChoose
58
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
162
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
10
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Plato Academy Clearwater has received support from
129 individuals from Florida and
33 individuals out-of-state.