SC Public Charter School District Kids First Podcast

In this extended special edition of Kids First Radio, host Keven Cohen welcomes South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver for a full-hour conversation alongside Chris Neeley, Superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Superintendent Weaver shares insights from completing her tour of all 46 counties and 82 school districts across the state, highlighting the importance of leadership mindset and high expectations in creating successful schools. The discussion covers significant education policy wins, including the bell-to-bell cell phone-free school day that has transformed classroom dynamics and student social interaction, and the remarkable 50% increase in starting teacher pay over recent years that has made South Carolina competitive with neighboring states.The conversation explores critical topics, including school choice, equitable education funding, and the challenges facing charter schools without facility funding. Weaver and Neeley discuss the importance of providing transportation access to ensure school choice is truly available to all families, particularly in rural communities. The episode also highlights South Carolina's SC250 initiative and the Palmetto Civics Project set of free resources designed to reinvigorate civics education statewide. Weaver shares exciting news about the "South Carolina surge" in education, including a six-point growth in literacy scores year over year, demonstrating that focused investment in early literacy and foundational skills is paying dividends for students across the state.Learn more: 🔗SC Public Charter School District at sccharter.org 🔗Palmetto Civics Project at palmettocivicsproject.com🔗SC Department of Education at ed.sc.gov

On this episode of Kids First, Keven Cohen welcomes Superintendent Chris Neeley of the South Carolina Public Charter School District to discuss the state of charter schools ahead of his testimony before the House Ways and Means K12 subcommittee. Chris shares the district's impressive achievements, including an 88% graduation rate and strong performance among students with disabilities and those in poverty, despite receiving approximately $8,000 less per pupil than traditional public schools. The conversation covers ongoing challenges such as transportation and facility funding, and the over 6,000 students currently on waiting lists across the state.The discussion highlights the district's commitment to accountability and transparency, with Chris explaining how charter schools demand more autonomy in exchange for higher standards and performance metrics. Since 2020, the district has closed five underperforming schools and has doubled in size to nearly 30,000 students across nearly 60 schools, positioning it to become South Carolina's fourth-largest district. Chris emphasizes the district's focus on workforce development, dual enrollment opportunities, and preparing students for careers in South Carolina's rapidly growing economy. The episode concludes with a preview of next week's guest, State Superintendent Ellen Weaver, who has been a strong advocate for charter school expansion, particularly in rural areas.🔗 Learn more: https://sccharter.org/

Keven Cohen sits down with Brad Henry from the South Carolina Public Charter School District to discuss National School Choice Week and what makes charter schools distinct. Brad shares how public charter schools across South Carolina give families more options, empower teachers with autonomy, and prepare students for college, careers, and the military through hands-on learning and strong community partnerships.

On this episode of Kids First Radio on 100.7 The Point, Keven Cohen and Superintendent Chris Neeley talk with Dr. Rhonda Gregory, Principal of Greenville Technical Charter High School in the Upstate. Dr. Gregory shares how the school's unique partnership with Greenville Technical College allows students to earn real college credits while still in high school. With a 100% graduation rate and a strong emphasis on mastery learning, GTCHS shows how high expectations, student support, and a college-like environment can prepare learners for success beyond the classroom.The conversation explores how dual enrollment, aviation programs, and volunteer service hours give students hands-on experience and valuable life skills. Dr. Gregory explains how the school's focus on consistency, high standards, and community service shapes confident, capable young adults ready for college or the workforce.🔗 Learn more: https://gtchs.org/

On this episode of Kids First Radio on 100.7 The Point, Keven Cohen sits down with Superintendent Chris Neeley and special guest Bruce Moseley, Middle Campus Principal at East Point Academy in West Columbia. Bruce shares the inspiring story of how East Point grew from a small K–2 school in a former hot dog stand to a thriving dual-campus charter school focused on academic rigor, language immersion, and community. The conversation explores how the school's family-like culture and focus on hands-on learning empower students to think critically, work hard, and thrive in a supportive environment.Listeners also learn how East Point's innovative Mandarin immersion program prepares students for global success starting as early as kindergarten and why its approach to middle school education stands out. From the benefits of South Carolina's new no-cell-phone law to keeping recess alive for older students, Bruce and Chris discuss how East Point combines structure, freedom, and creativity to put kids first in every sense of the word.🔗 Learn more: https://eastpointsc.org

In this New Year 2026 episode of Kids First Radio on 100.7 The Point, host Keven Cohen kicks off the year with Superintendent Chris Neeley from the South Carolina Public Charter School District to look back at the first half of the 2025–26 school year and preview what is ahead. They touch on rising reading scores, ongoing work to strengthen math, and how student mental health, family engagement, and the removal of phones from classrooms are shaping a stronger learning environment.​Chris also shares how the district is growing by adding 14 new schools, pursuing funding for facilities in rural communities, and reviewing a record number of applications from groups hoping to open new charter schools across South Carolina. The conversation offers a hopeful glimpse at how charter innovation, local leadership, and new school options are expanding opportunities for families throughout South Carolina.🔗 Learn more: https://sccharter.org

In this year-end episode of Kids First Radio, host Keven Cohen welcomes John R. Payne, Deputy Superintendent of Sponsor Performance for the South Carolina Public Charter School District. John shares insight into the rigorous process of starting a charter school, from community applications to ensuring accountability and strong student outcomes. He and Keven discuss the importance of giving parents and students meaningful choices in public education while keeping academic standards high.Together, they explore how charter schools across South Carolina are revitalizing communities, serving diverse student populations, and offering innovative approaches to teaching and learning. The conversation highlights how these schools turn challenges into opportunities, especially in underserved areas, by focusing on affordability, accessibility, and student success.🔗 Learn more: https://sccharter.org

On this episode of Kids First, Keven Cohen sits down with Emalee Baker, Deputy Superintendent for Support and Implementation at the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Emalee explains how charter schools across the state are rethinking educator recruitment and development to address the ongoing teacher shortage. She highlights the district's Charter Inspire teacher certification program, which allows schools to "grow their own" educators by helping professionals in other fields transition into teaching while earning certification on the job.The conversation explores how PCSD charters are breaking down barriers for teachers, offering flexibility, removing red tape, and empowering educators to focus on their classrooms. Emalee shares real examples of how this creative approach is not only filling classrooms but also cultivating confident and committed teachers ready to shape the next generation of learners.🔗 Learn more: https://ed.sc.gov/educators/alternative-certification/charter-inspire

On this episode of Kids First, Keven Cohen is joined by Dr. Perry Mills from the South Carolina Public Charter School District and Dr. James Thompson, Workforce Development Manager at the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, for a timely discussion on how South Carolina can better prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Dr. Thompson shares how his statewide role connects K12 schools, higher education, and industry partners so students can move seamlessly from classrooms into high-demand careers in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and public safety.The conversation digs into why workforce development must start well before high school, with early career exploration, apprenticeships, internships, and even virtual reality experiences that help students "get their hands dirty" while building essential soft skills. Keven, Dr. Mills, and Dr. Thompson also address lingering social skill gaps from the COVID years and explain how schools, families, and employers can work together so that more South Carolina students graduate truly career and college ready.🔗 Learn more: https://che.sc.gov/