WAILUKU, Maui — Despite the departure of its longtime maestro, the band plays on at 'Iao Intermediate School.

The popular band program has long been a hallmark of the Wailuku school and is often favorably compared to its high school counterparts on Maui. 'Iao Principal Catherine Kilborn said Noel Kuraya, who retired last month, helped build an ambitious program that demands a lot of its young musicians.

"They are a performing band in addition to learning skills in the classroom," Kilborn said.

The 'Iao band tours elementary schools, travels to O'ahu annually, performs in public concerts and music festivals, and holds extracurricular activities such as sleepovers and fundraisers.

"It's the kind of program in which students want to do their best. It's very high-performing," she said.

Even though he is no longer on staff, Kuraya, whose father, Ben Kuraya, was a band teacher at Kalani High School, remains a presence as mentor to new band teacher Jim Balicanta.

To encourage participation, band is included as one of four quarterly subjects in the "Exploratory Wheel" class that gives sixth-graders a taste of electives they may want to pursue. The other subjects are world languages, technology and art.

In core classes, 'Iao School has been working to improve math and reading test scores by providing additional instruction to struggling students. "Students take regular math with standards-based course work and a support class to help them deal with the basic skills they are lacking," Kilborn said.

The same strategy has been used for reading. All classes, even physical education, are required to incorporate a writing component. "The fact that they have to write really improves reading," she said.

Kilborn said the extra instruction has resulted in higher test scores, particularly in reading.

What are you most proud of? The band and Renaissance programs. The Renaissance program, a partnership with local businesses, rewards students for good grades and behavior and community service. Unlike most honor rolls, even students with C's can earn rewards, which include savings bonds and merchant discounts. Students must perform at least one hour of community service per quarter and stay out of trouble in order to be eligible for the program.

Best-kept secret: "We have no secrets. We pride ourselves in our communication so that families and the community know what's going on," Kilborn said. Attendance at school/community council meetings has grown in recent years from just two or three people to 150-plus, she said. Grant money was used to install a marquee to advise the community of upcoming events, and this year, grade-level family nights will be held monthly to help parents meet other parents and learn what to expect from the curriculum and their child's developmental progress. This month's events include an ice cream social, a carnival night and line-dancing.

Everybody at our school knows: Kilborn, who has been at 'Iao 13 years as principal, vice principal and teacher. "It's just high visibility. I'm always out and about on campus," she said. "And all the students know I am the person they will be dealing with for inappropriate behavior."

Our biggest challenge: "Raising our math scores," Kilborn said.

What we need: New student lockers. Some of the school's original lockers are still in place, and they are too small to accommodate textbooks, clothes for physical education classes and other belongings. Kilborn estimates it would cost $125,000 to replace old or damaged lockers, but no funding source has been identified yet. "Campus renovations were just completed and it looks beautiful. But we've got these hideous lockers next to newly painted buildings, and they look doubly hideous," she said.

Special events/programs: Maroon and White Track Meet, year-end Renaissance awards assembly; free after-school program that includes tutoring and enrichment activities such as wood-burning, volleyball and gardening.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.