In a class all their own.(Final)

Byline: Isabel Sanchez Journal Staff Writer

* Young charter schools cater to children with different educational needs and interests

School board member Fernando Motley sits at a hallway table, reading aloud from "One Nation Under a Groove: Rap Music and Its Roots."

Motley is a ninth-grader at Nuestros Valores, a 2-year-old charter school in a 90-year-old red brick building restored to its original wooden floors, transomed doors, tin ceilings and tall windows. It resonates with tradition.

This South Valley school, housed in historic Armijo Elementary, was created for students whose traditional school experience was one of falling behind or dropping out. It's one of a dozen charter schools in the Albuquerque Public Schools district.

Motley, in addition to serving on the school's board, is one of about 100 students earning credits in the basics world history, English, math and science. For some students, the basics are just that how to operate a washer and dryer, for example, as part of life-skills class.

"We're getting kids that have been out of school two, three years. They haven't been anywhere," said lead teacher Kirk Hartom.

"They haven't had very good educational experiences up to this point."

Nuestros Valores means Our Values a sense of community and belonging, parental involvement, high expectations and student achievement, Hartom said. Although not all of Albuquerque's…