KAPA'A, Kaua'i — Kapa'a High School is an institute on a mission — to do whatever it takes to bring student math performance out of the cellar.

"For the last three years, our math scores have been going down, down, down, so we're really focusing on engaging our kids more in math," said Principal Gilmore Youn. Reading scores are the highest among public schools on the island, but math has lagged considerably, he said.

The school is approaching the issue in several ways. One is to provide math teachers with new instructional skills, said school curriculum coordinator Dominic Beralas. He said teachers are being taught new ways to make math compelling to students, including the establishment of a research-based approach that engages students in math-related problem-solving.

"Another key component for improving achievement in math" is having teachers meet for 40 minutes twice weekly to compare notes, said Beralas, a former math teacher. These sessions are called teacher learning communities, and teachers are able to share instructional strategies, study individual student data and report on things that seem to be working.

The school is also asking parents to help by tutoring their students. And for parents whose own skills are rusty, the school is offering computer-based tutoring for them.

"We're just about to start recruiting parents. We have PLATO Learning software. Parents can take an assessment and find out where there are gaps, and the software automatically assigns lessons to fill them in. It's a refresher so parents can help their kids and be a little more confident," said school Title 1 Coordinator Beth Pemberton. (Kapa'a High parents interested in the tutoring program can call Pemberton at 821-4401, ext. 242.)

Pemberton said students use the same software: "We use it really successfully with students. Our kids really like it," she said.

What we're proud of: "We have a strong JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) that consistently takes statewide honors," said Youn.

Best-kept secret: "Our reading test scores have always been high. They're the highest on the island. There has been a stigma about the school, and people are leery of coming to Kapa'a High School, but once students and faculty come, they find it's a nice place to be."

Everyone at our school knows: Kaua'i police officer Mark Ozaki, who is the department's school relations officer for Kapa'a High.

Our biggest challenge: Bringing math scores up to the benchmark.

What we need: "We'd like a new gym, but what we really need is for the whole community to buy in to the effort to improve math and reading scores. We need the support and help from everybody: teachers, students, parents and the community," Youn said.

Special events: A student awards assembly each Christmas, with live music, rewards students who have not run into attendance or discipline problems: "We try to give incentives and awards for positive behavior," Youn said.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.