Posted on: Thursday, January 4, 2007
Maui charter school stresses technology
By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor
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Kihei Charter School students collect data at a fishpond in Kihei as part of the school's outdoor science program.
DAN KUHAR | Kihei Charter School
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AT A GLANCE
Where: 300 Ohukai Road, No. 209, Kihei, Maui Phone: (808) 875-0700 Principal: Mark Christiano, two years School mascot: Tiger sharks School colors: Silver, black and blue Web address: http://kiheicharter.org History: The school was originally established in 2001 as Kihei High School, sharing space with the Kihei Youth Center. After its first year, the school moved into a 6,000-square-foot unit in the Kihei Industrial Park. In 2004, Kihei Charter School expanded to serve grades K-12. For the current school year, the campus moved to a 16,000-square-foot space in the industrial park formerly occupied by Hope Chapel. Testing: Here's how Kihei Charter School students fared on the most recent standardized tests. 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, 100 percent; math, 100 percent. Fourth-grade reading, 66 percent; math, 100 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 100 percent; math, 100 percent. Sixth-grade reading, 57 percent; math, 57 percent. Seventh-grade reading, 92 percent; math, 91 percent. Eighth-grade reading, 80 percent; math, 60 percent. Tenth-grade reading, 72 percent; math, 67 percent. Hawai'i State Assessment. Listed is the combined percentage of pupils meeting or exceeding state standards, and a comparison with the state average in parentheses: Third-grade reading, unavailable; math, 33 percent, (30 percent). Fourth-grade reading, 50 percent, (58.1 percent); math, 17 percent, (32.5 percent). Fifth-grade reading, 50 percent, (43.5 percent); math, 0 percent, (24 percent). Sixth-grade reading, 43 percent, (47.5 percent); math, 14 percent, (27.6 percent). Seventh-grade reading, 75 percent, (47.3 percent); math, 17 percent, (29.1 percent). Eighth-grade reading, 30 percent, (38.6 percent); math, 0 percent, (25.1 percent). Tenth-grade reading, 39 percent, (42.8 percent); math, 19 percent, (18.4 percent).Enrollment: 150 on-site high school students, 100 "hybrid" students in grades K-12 who work from home via computer and in classrooms.
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Kihei, Maui — The Kihei Charter School may be located in a 16,000-square-foot industrial space, but there is nothing factory-made about the students who are emerging from the new campus equipped with high-tech skills to meet the demands of the 21st century.
The five-year-old charter school is part of the long-established Coalition of Essential Schools, whose principles are exemplified by personalized instruction, small classrooms and interdisciplinary studies.
Principal Mark Christiano said Kihei Charter School practices an integrated, project-based approach to learning and has "a high reliance on technology." That means no textbooks; students use computers in the classroom for research and other tasks.
"Acquisition of 21st-century skills" is another priority, he said. These skills include information and communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving, interpersonal and collaborative skills, global awareness, and financial and civic literacy.
Students follow a six-period class schedule, but course topics often overlap and follow a guiding theme, Christiano said. When students return from their winter break, the theme will be "ownership." In health class, students will be asked to develop a school plan for healthy living. Other classes will explore ownership through stewardship of the environment and participation in government.
The Kihei Charter School received an initial three-year accreditation in July from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Because of its small enrollment, the Kihei Charter School fields interscholastic athletic teams when the numbers are available, but otherwise students can join teams at Maui High School in Kahului.
What are you most proud of? More than 80 percent of seniors have gone on to college, according to Christiano. "This shows that our students value learning and understand the need to continue acquiring knowledge and further skills in order to best prepare for their future in our rapidly changing, global economy," he said.
Best-kept secret: The school itself is the island's best-kept secret, according to Christiano. "The word on Maui is just starting to spread that this high-quality, unique, student-centered option exists."
Everybody at our school knows: "Everybody! We cherish our small-school mentality and are committed to maintaining a community where 'everybody knows everybody.' ''
Our biggest challenge: "As year-to-year renters, we face an uncertain future with regard to our current, wonderful facility. Our greatest challenge lies in our ability to find a long-term solution with a permanent facility."
Special events: A winter ball, movie nights, field trips to local events and natural sites, fall and winter carnivals.
Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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