New charter schools offer different strokes

Erica Lenentine tapped rhythm sticks together to mark time as her second-graders used their small bodies to bring to life the big things they are learning at Kamalani Academy.

Scrambling into small groups, they acted out concepts like “plateau,” “continent” and the ever-popular “volcano.” As an “arts integration” school, the public charter school weaves drama, music and visual arts into the fabric of the curriculum in hopes the lessons will resonate better for students.

Kamalani opened its doors in August on the grounds of the former Our Lady of Sorrows School in Wahiawa and was full from the get-go, with 300 students in grades kindergarten through eight. It has a waiting list of parents eager to enroll their kids.