Magnolia Science Academy seeks material revision to open Anaheim campuses; trustees hear student and parent testimonials

Magnolia Science Academy Orange County asked the Board of Education March 5 to approve a material revision to its countywide charter petition that would add new campuses in Anaheim and Placentia‑Yorba Linda.

Founding principal Dr. Maria Rao told trustees the school collected more than 200 meaningful interest signatures during a recent Prop. 39 outreach process in Placentia‑Yorba Linda and said families in the target area want a STEAM‑focused, TK–12 program. Magnolia representatives said the targeted neighborhood’s demographics resemble the applicant’s existing Santa Ana campus and stressed the school’s emphasis on family engagement, food distribution partnerships and continuity across grade levels.

Why it matters: a material revision that adds facilities changes access for Anaheim families and can shift enrollment patterns across nearby elementary and secondary schools. Trustees said testimony from current Magnolia students and parents was persuasive and requested the usual staff diligence on oversight, facility availability and capacity before acting.

Public comment included a fourth‑grader who spoke about student council, drama and math contest placements and a parent who described improvements in her child’s speech and academic confidence after enrolling in Magnolia’s Santa Ana campus.

What’s next: OCDE will publish staff recommendations and findings by March 18; the board will hold a hearing and take action on the material revision at its April 2 meeting.

Ending: Magnolia representatives said they are in escrow on a private facility in Anaheim and expect a Prop. 39 reply from Placentia‑Yorba Linda shortly; trustees asked staff to review capacity and the districts’ Prop. 39 offers as part of the forthcoming staff report.