SC Public Charter School District
154 episodes listed below
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The Kids First Podcast is your go-to program for all things South Carolina charter schools! Hosted by the South Carolina Public Charter School District, the show highlights the incredible stories of teachers, leaders, and students making a difference across the state. Tune in to learn about the innovative programs, unique opportunities, and real-world impact of charter schools that put #KidsFirst every day. Airing weekly on 100.7 The Point, the show celebrates the power of education to inspire and transform communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Kids First makes charter-school administration concrete through detailed conversations about staffing, certification, funding, career pathways, and local governance.
Kids First works through South Carolina's charter-school system by putting Kev in conversation with school leaders and district officials, then keeping the questions close to how schools operate.
Charter-school talk gets concrete when your college bill meets dual enrollment and nursing pathways.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A plainspoken, parent-first case for school choice and better school fit.
Brad Henry frames National School Choice Week as a straightforward reminder that families should look at fit, not habit. He makes the case in plain terms: students do not all learn the same way, and options such as charter schools, homeschool, private school, and magnet programs…
A warm, pro-charter argument linking school choice to South Carolina's workforce needs.
The conversation presents a clear pro-charter case for tying school choice to South Carolina's workforce needs. Chris Neely frames charter schools as autonomous local education organizations that can respond to community needs, and he connects that flexibility to a projected gap…
Charter-school funding, staffing, and student outcomes are weighed against a district case for doing more with less.
This piece treats charter schooling as a question of public stewardship, with a South Carolina district trying to meet heavier demands on less money.
A grounded look at how employers and schools can build a better pipeline.
Laura McKinney keeps the discussion grounded in workforce development as a way to shorten the distance between job seekers and employers. The strongest material comes when it treats pipeline-building as a local job, with Columbia Chamber examples and the South Carolina Public…
A clear case for a school model built to give teachers more support.
The episode presents Liberty STEAM Charter in Sumter as a school built around strong adult support for teachers and students. Chris Neely frames it as a model worth copying, and the guests reinforce that view with details about teacherpreneurs, transformational coaching, and a…
A parent first case for charter schools, built around fit, family voice, and practical school design.
Chris Neeley makes a clear case that charter schools can feel different to families who think a child is getting lost in a one size fits all system.
A practical charter-school profile where language study and student life share the spotlight.
East Point Academy reads as a steady charter-school profile, with Bruce Mosley laying out the Mandarin-immersion elementary campus, the language-rich middle campus, and how the East Point model fits Columbia.
A clear look at South Carolina schooling, from charter priorities to cautious AI use.
Ellen Weaver's visit gives Kids First a wider view of South Carolina education, with charter schools, support for classrooms across the state, and the human side of teaching all in frame.
Brad Henry joins Kids First for a National School Choice Week conversation.
December is winding down.
The show sits down with Laura McKinney from the Columbia Chamber and opens a straightforward conversation about talent, workforce development, and what employers really need.
Kids First opens with Tuesday banter on October 7, 2025 before moving into Midlands Middle College and a discussion of how the school builds pathways through high school and into college and work.
Kevin brings in John R.
The show opens on the first gathering in November after Halloween.
Chris Neeley joins Kids First for a long, conversational talk about why charter schools can matter to families.
Elizabeth Simpson says Compass Collegiate Academy in North Charleston is in its fifth year, has expanded from kindergarten and first grade to kindergarten through fifth, and is outperforming neighboring district and state schools.
Kev and Chris Neely open with easy September banter.
Dana Abbott, director of school-based mental health services for the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program, explains how SCIAP puts licensed clinicians inside charter schools and other public schools to deliver therapy, crisis intervention, diagnostic assessments, and family support.
Chris Neely says the South Carolina Public Charter School District is heading to the House Ways and Means K-12 subcommittee to argue for transportation and facilities funding, even though charter schools receive just over $12,000 per pupil and about $8,000 less than traditional districts.
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Palmetto Scholars Academy principal Ricky Reyes describes a 6-12 charter school on Joint Base Charleston lease property that opened after a 2009-2010 start and a 2015 building project in North Charleston.
Kim Statler says Polaris Tech Charter School opened in 2018 with fewer than 300 learners and later became a K-12 school with a little over 500 learners in Ridgeland.
Host Kevin interviews Sade Harrell from the City of Columbia and Dr.
Superintendent Chris Neely discusses innovative reforms for South Carolina's education system, including raising teacher pay to $80,000, implementing open enrollment for school choice, and rethinking transportation and classroom models.
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Chris Neely, superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District, says the 2025-26 school year has brought an “excellent” rating for Lakes and Bridges in Easley, the state’s first dyslexia-focused school to reach that level.
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Chris Neely says the South Carolina Public Charter School District will have 59 charter schools by July 1, and he frames the model as “highly accountable” to the state while leaving room for local autonomy.
This episode features Greg Thompson, board chairman of Liberty STEAM Charter School, discussing the school's rapid growth, innovative teacher incentives, and massive waitlist.
Brad Henry welcomes Robbie Compton into the studio for a face-to-face conversation about Riverwalk Academy.
Kids First opens on a Tuesday, December 9, with the day brightening into sunshine.
The show visits Liberty Steam in Sumter with a steady parade of school leaders and teachers.
Bruce Mosley joins Kids First to talk about East Point Academy.
Kids First stretches to an hour for a conversation with South Carolina state superintendent Ellen Weaver.
The host welcomes Chris Neeley back for a pre-Thanksgiving conversation that starts with family, gratitude, and the quiet joy of having kids home for the holiday.
Kids First opens in holiday-week mode, with the host welcoming back Perry Mills and Emily Baker from the South Carolina Public Charter School District.
Hosts discuss celebrating military children with guests from the South Carolina Public Charter School District.
This episode discusses trauma-informed education and the impact of charter schools in South Carolina, featuring an interview with Karen Grove from Columbia College.
Host and superintendent discuss charter school impact and share a story about appreciating hard work in hot weather.
A radio show discussing South Carolina charter schools with an interview of a leadership consultant about strategic planning.
This episode features an interview with a school leader from Fox Creek High School, discussing the school's history, growth, and programs.
Hosts interview the school board chair of Spartanburg Preparatory Academy about the school's history, mission, and unique approach to education.
Hosts discuss recent hurricane impacts and then interview Dr.
A radio segment highlighting South Carolina charter schools, featuring an interview with the military affairs coordinator about veteran support.
A radio segment featuring an interview with Dr.
Hosts discuss charter school news and interview the superintendent and a community leader at a charter school alliance conference.