SC Public Charter School District Kids First Podcast

On this episode of Kids First Radio, Keven Cohen and Superintendent Chris Neeley wrap up the school year for the South Carolina Public Charter School District by celebrating its success, strong enrollment growth, and diverse student body. They highlight how the district emphasizes school and classroom autonomy while delivering impressive results, often with less funding than traditional public schools.Neeley discusses the ongoing challenge of fair funding and advocates for charters to get the same per-student support. The conversation also touches on the district's role in closing achievement gaps and why more families choose charter schools across South Carolina.🔗 Learn more: https://sccharter.org/

On this episode of Kids First Radio, host Kevin Cohen is joined by Deborah Cooper-Davis, Chairperson of Felton Laboratory Charter School, to explore the powerful partnership between Felton Lab and South Carolina State University. Situated on a university campus, Felton leverages its unique location to provide students with STEAM education, mentorship from college students, and early exposure to higher education pathways.Deborah discusses how the school’s programs are designed to cultivate future leaders by integrating real-world learning experiences and building a pipeline to college and beyond. As Felton continues to celebrate over a century of educational excellence, it remains committed to putting #KidsFirst by preparing students for a bright future.🔗 Learn more: https://www.myflcs.org/

On this episode of Kids First Radio, host Keven Cohen is joined by guests Brad Henry, Dr. Perry Mills, and David Wyatt to spotlight the upcoming Bridge Builder Excellence Awards, hosted by the South Carolina Public Charter School District in partnership with the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. The awards, taking place on May 9th, honor 58 high school football players from across South Carolina who exemplify excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities.These student-athletes maintain at least a 3.2 GPA, actively volunteer with nonprofits, and demonstrate the leadership and integrity needed to succeed in life beyond sports. The program highlights the importance of being college and career-ready, emphasizing life skills, teamwork, and financial literacy in today’s changing landscape of high school and college athletics.Through this initiative, community leaders are not only recognizing achievement but also helping young men build a future rooted in purpose, character, and service. As the show reminds us, when we honor what’s right, we help grow more of it.🔗 Learn more: https://scfootballhof.org

In this uplifting episode, we sit down with a group of bright, thoughtful middle school students from Compass Collegiate Academy in North Charleston, South Carolina. These young leaders open up about their dreams, role models, and what leadership means to them at this stage in their lives. With wisdom beyond their years and a strong sense of purpose, they reflect on how their school community supports their growth and encourages them to think big. From future careers to advice for younger scholars, this conversation is filled with hope, heart, and the unmistakable energy of students who are ready to make an impact.🔗 https://cca-chs.org/

In this episode of Kids First, host Keven Cohen, along with Superintendent Chris Neeley and special guests Dr. Perry Mills and Brad Henry, welcome Kelly Buster, Principal of High Point Academy in Spartanburg. Kelly shares exciting details about the school's unique approach, focusing on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. High Point Academy integrates hands-on learning, such as piano lessons, dance, and coding, into its curriculum from kindergarten. Kelly highlights the school's commitment to developing well-rounded students by offering exposure to a variety of fields early on.The conversation dives into the impact of STEAM education, the school's project-based learning, and the importance of fostering creativity and social skills in young learners. Kelly also discusses the advantages of having a K-12 school on one campus, where older students mentor younger ones. This system creates a nurturing environment, with special programs like the "senior buddy" system and multi-age classrooms that promote peer learning and leadership development.The episode emphasizes how High Point Academy tailors its education to meet the needs of diverse learners, offering flexible opportunities for students to grow and thrive.🔗 Learn more: https://www.hpaspartanburg.com/Default.aspx

In this special Month of the Military Child edition of Kids First Radio on 100.7 The Point, host Keven Cohen and South Carolina Public Charter School District Superintendent Chris Neeley welcome Dr. Sara Jane Arnett of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). With April officially recognized by Governor Henry McMaster as the Month of the Military Child, the episode spotlights the unique challenges faced by military-connected families, such as frequent moves, interrupted schooling, and emotional transitions, and how organizations like MCEC are helping level the playing field for these students.Dr. Arnett shares her personal journey as both a military spouse and parent, emphasizing the critical role of advocacy, community, and adaptability. She highlights her family's experience navigating education for a child with special needs after relocating to South Carolina, praising the life-changing support received from the Public Charter School District, specifically through Pace Academy.The episode is a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of military children and the communities that rise up to walk alongside them.🔗 Learn more: https://militarychild.org/

In this episode of Kids First Radio, Keven Cohen and Dr. Perry Mills welcome Lori Mastromonico, principal of Tall Pines STEM Academy in Aiken County. Lori shares how the school's unique outdoor-focused approach, set on nearly 400 acres of shared land with Camp Long, creates an engaging and movement-rich learning environment for students in grades 5–8.Listeners look into the academy's founding in 2016, Lori's journey from traditional public education into charter leadership, and how autonomy in charter schools allows teachers to better serve students' needs. Lori discusses Tall Pines' focus on leadership, physical activity, and academic success, with daily outdoor time and impressive test scores.The episode also highlights the importance of choice in public education, touching on the diverse extracurriculars at Tall Pines, ranging from fishing and ukulele clubs to a Harry Potter–inspired PAC system, and the school's role in redefining how kids experience middle school.🔗 Learn more: https://tallpinesacademy.com/

On this episode of Kids First Radio, host Keven Cohen is joined by Bryan Lively, Principal of Summit Academy, and Cassie Hyder, Director of Special Projects, for an inspiring conversation about a fresh approach to middle school education in South Carolina. Summit Academy is a unique hybrid school model that blends daily live virtual instruction with dynamic monthly in-person experiences.Now in its inaugural year, Summit Academy serves 6th and 7th graders, with plans to expand to 8th grade next year. Lively and Hyder explain how the school offers the flexibility of online learning while emphasizing community and personal connection through in-person gatherings. These monthly meetups focus on leadership, soft skills development, and experiential learning, ranging from STEM labs to team-building adventures.Throughout the conversation, Keven and Brad Henry from the SC Public Charter School District highlight the importance of flexibility and personalization in education, ensuring the "kids first" mission truly guides every decision.🔗 Learn more: https://summitacademysc.com/