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Lori Mastromonico | Tall Pines STEM Academy

Author
SC Public Charter Schools
Published
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Episode Link
https://shows.acast.com/pcsd/episodes/lori-mastromonico-tall-pines-stem-academy

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/


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