A Temecula charter school pitching a classical approach to education will enroll twice as many pupils in its first year as earlier projected, school leaders said this week.

The Temecula Preparatory School will have about 380 students in kindergarten through ninth grade when it opens Sept. 5, Assistant Headmistress Laurie Nau said.

When the Temecula Valley school board approved the charter school last December, school founders projected 190 students in the first year.

But parental interest in the school's back-to-the-basics model -- which includes uniforms and the teaching of Latin -- has been exceptional, Nau said. The parents of about 470 students have expressed interest in enrolling by signing the charter petition, calling school officials or writing letters, she said.

The applications are due back by April 15. If the school is unable to accommodate all students who want to enroll, a lottery will be held, Nau said.

Although the school is sponsored by the Temecula Valley Unified School District, it will be located initially in portable classrooms in western Murrieta, school officials said.

The Temecula Preparatory School's new phone number is 676-9989.

James Nash can be reached by e-mail at jnash@pe.com or by phone at (909) 587-3138.

Published 4/8/2000