McPherson Magnet School

I am in 6th grade now and I went to Mcpherson from K- half of 5th. The first 5 years i went to this school it was great. THEN in 5th grade when my one friend stopped being my friend I had nobody else to hangout with. All the teachers were great except my 5th grade teacher because she had favorites and she didnt wanna do anything to help me. As far as the kids, they are very mean and everyone would walk away from me and made fun of me because i was autistic. So in the middle of 5th grade I was done. I left and i know about 4 other families that left so I would so DO NOT send your kid here

The technology that McPherson touts is very archaic. I suspect that's a money issue more than anything. However, they don't offer any offer more programs that an average school at Orange Unified. Very strange that it's the magnet school when other schools at Orange Unified have been rated better.
--Submitted by a parent

So so - I wish the anti-bullying campaign applied to teachers and principal too. There are some great teachers there but a few scary horrible, who are verbally abusive to the children. This school promotes the test above and beyond everything else. It does not matter what difficulties the children are having, as long as they can take the state tests with flying colors. Extremely disappointing. HOWEVER, there is excellent parent involvement, which goes beyond that of any normal public school. Get a new principal that is involved, knows the students and actually likes kids and I think you'll see a big change!
--Submitted by a parent

This sused to be a great school. Now the teachers do nothing in class and send all work home to be done. Then if it is not homework it is some mindless project that is just busy work to make it look like the school is dong something. Making costumes of ancient people? How about learning about ancient people? Very disappointing.
--Submitted by a parent

I have four children at this school, from Kindergarden to sixth grade. I LOVE IT! Children are introduced to computers at the Kindergarden level.They recieve alot of homework, even at this age. The school has recently gone to full-day kindergarden. For uppergraders,teachers communicate with parents about home work assignments and student progress hrough BLACKBOARD.Both 4th and 6th graders receive Blog homework assignments. Sixth graders are expected to wear labcoats to science class, and have uniforms for PE (3X week). I also appreciate the Anti-Bulling campaign. It provides a positive, supportive environment, especially for middle school kids. This school, although publicly funded, has the feel of a private school. I feel fortunate to have my children there.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall it's a school that challenges and motivates students to do their best. The junior high laptop program is excellent but costly, and most of the teachers genuinely care about the student's education. We have very talented teachers, but like any school, there are a few that should not be there. The older students work well with the younger students in the "big buddy" program for 3rd, 6th and 8th grades. Junior high students are well insulated from the problems they might face at a typical junior high (drugs, smoking etc.). If your child is academically gifted, he or she will thrive at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I completely disagree!!! My child still gets computer time 2 days per week. Computer problems?!?!?! My child has no problems taking readong counts test and as for JiJi we have had no issues. I am wondering if this is an isolated issue and you are taking it out on the school?
--Submitted by a parent

We have two children attending now and the budget cuts have really affected the quality of education they are receiving. Combination classes have been eliminated. Computer time has been mostly unavailable as the school waits for their allotment time of the district network administrator to fix reading counts and jiji programs. The strain of teaching 30 students at all different reading and math levels is evident in the 'reach for the mediocrity' school curiculum.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been at McPherson for a couple years and it is awesome. It is my last year, and even though it is hard, the teachers are very helpful and kind. McPherson is the best!
--Submitted by a student

We've had two children who have attended McPherson and overall it is a pleasant environment with mostly excellent teachers. However, the original parents who helped to build the 'magnet' aspect of the school have all moved on and parent involvement is no longer as good as it used to be. Administration does not actively work to get parents to put in the 10 hours supposedly required. Class size increases and budget cuts have undercut the math-science-technology aspects. As word has spread and class size has increased, it seems that many parents are motivated by white flight from other heavily Hispanic schools nearby. The school needs to re-engage in its core mission.
--Submitted by a parent