McPherson School Sign-Ups Are Saturday

Registration for the much-anticipated opening of McPherson Magnet School begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Orange Unified School District Education Center, 1401 N. Handy St.

Due to overwhelming interest in the new science, math and technology school, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, Principal Rod Hust said.

Parents can begin lining up at 5 a.m. Saturday. Overnight camping on district property is not permitted.

About 60 students per grade, or 420 total, will be admitted into kindergarten through sixth grade for the school’s first term in September. Seventh grade will be added in 1998-99 with eighth grade following in 1999-2000.

Only parents or legal guardians can sign children up for classes.

Students must turn 5 by Dec. 2 to enroll in kindergarten. A birth certificate, current immunization records signed by a physician, address verification and the child’s Social Security number are required.

Since the process might be lengthy, it is suggested that younger children not accompany their parents during school registration.

Orange Unified School District officials in March considered reserving some spaces in the school for high-performing students but opted to admit students in the order in which they applied.

The magnet campus is at the old McPherson Middle School site, 333 S. Prospect St.

Information: (714) 639-4565.