Posted on: Thursday, August 16, 2007
Junior 'Bows high on success, low on space
By Diane S.W. Lee
Advertiser Staff Writer
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While most Lab School students begin the school year next week, the class of 2020, which includes kindergartner Jared Yamabayashi, 5, got an early start. In one of his first lessons, Jared learned to write "Hi."
GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser
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AT A GLANCE
Where: 1776 University Ave., on the campus of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Phone: 956-7833 Web address: www.hawaii.edu/crdg/labschool Principal: Fred Birkett, started Aug. 1 School nickname: Junior 'Bows School colors: Green and white History: Originally Teacher's College at the University of Hawai'i, the school was founded for education majors to practice teaching. In 1966, the school's purpose changed to developing curriculum for Hawai'i's public schools, testing material on students under the Curriculum Research & Development Group. School funding stopped in 1999 due to budget cuts from the state. Fundraisers and donations helped cover the school for two years. University Laboratory School became a charter school, Education Laboratory School, in 2001. Fire destroyed a classroom and office building in 2006. Testing: 2006 Stanford Achievement Test. Listed is the combined percentage of pupils scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent. Third-grade reading, 90 percent; math, 80 percent. Fourth-grade reading, 100 percent; math, 100 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 100 percent; math, 100 percent. Sixth-grade reading, 98 percent; math, 96 percent. Seventh-grade reading, 92 percent; math, 98 percent. Eighth-grade reading, 92 percent; math, 92 percent. Tenth-grade reading, 92 percent; math, 92 percent. 2006 Hawai'i State Assessment test. Listed is the combined percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards. Third-grade reading, 70 percent (state average: 50.2 percent); math, 0 percent (state average: 30 percent). Fourth-grade reading, 80 percent, (58.1 percent); math, 30 percent, (32.5 percent). Fifth-grade reading, 90 percent, (43.5 percent); math, 30 percent, (24 percent). Sixth-grade reading, 69 percent (47.5 percent); math, 43 percent (27.6 percent). Seventh-grade reading, 80 percent (47.3 percent); math, 69 percent (29.1 percent). Eighth-grade reading, 57 percent (38.6 percent); math, 45 percent (25.1 percent). Tenth-grade reading, 88 percent (42.8 percent); math, 53 percent (18.4 percent). Computers: 120 Enrollment: There are 413 students in grades K-12. Admission is by lottery.
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Fred Birkett
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University Laboratory School will start the new school year next week without a replacement for the building that was destroyed by fire in June 2006.
As a result, the school is still suffering from lack of space for classrooms, said Donald Young, school director and professor of education.
"Like other charter schools, space is a challenge," said Young. "We're extremely short on space, and the spaces that we have are not of the best quality."
The school, operated by the University of Hawai'i Curriculum Research & Development Group, is coping with the adjustments through "creative scheduling."
Four portable buildings house some classrooms, spaces that are used by college students after 4 p.m., said Young.
"We haven't had to cancel any classes, but we've had to repurpose some spaces and convert them to classroom use when that wasn't what it was immediately used for, so that continues to be a real problem," Young said.
"We're launching a serious fundraising campaign for buildings with the support of the university, but we were not successful last June in getting any support from the Legislature in getting a new College of Education building," Young said.
"We've had an enormous overwhelming support from our alumni, from the community at-large in terms of making donations as part of the fire recovery fund."
What are you most proud of? Student accomplishments and the school's comprehensive curriculum, which includes a strong academic and performing arts program, Young said. Students are exposed to a rich curriculum and engaged in multiple activities, he said.
"Achievements and accomplishments are nothing short of amazing," Young said. "About 98 percent of our kids go on to post-secondary education. We have among the highest scores on the Hawai'i State Assessment.
"When I say we're proud of our student achievement, we're saying in all fields, not just in state assessments, not just in SATs, but in music, athletics and art. We have a disproportional number of students every year who win writing contests, art contests, music competitions — and that's very important to us."
What makes this school unique? The school's mission of "supporting educational research and development and disseminating educational materials and improvement strategies" is the only one in Hawai'i, according to the school's Web site. Selected by a lottery, the school's student body is evenly distributed by gender and reflects the state's diversity, broad student academic achievement and family socioeconomic levels.
Best-kept secret: The school's Alumni Association and Booster Club. The organizations work hard behind the scenes to help keep the school spirit alive, said Tracy Teixeira, the school's counselor and assistant administrator. The Alumni Association, composed of friends and graduates of the school, helped in the campus beautification process, and the Booster Club, made up of parents, raised money to provide hula implements and trips for the speech team.
"After a crisis, they came through, but when we're not necessarily in a crisis, they're there," too, Teixeira said.
Everybody at our school knows: Tracy Teixeira, the school's counselor and assistant administrator. She interacts with students the most, providing them with counseling on grades, Young said.
Our biggest challenge: Lack of permanent buildings continues to be the school's greatest challenge.
What we need: "Renovations on our existing facilities and we probably need an additional 20 classrooms to be operating at full functionality and that would mean expanding our elementary school," said Young, adding that there are only three small classrooms to house students.
Special events: Wally Amos, the founder of "Famous Amos" cookies and co-founder of Uncle Wally's Muffin Co., has arranged a visit on Tuesday to welcome back to school students in kindergarten through fifth grade, said Keoni Jeremiah, the school's assistant principal.
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