A student receives guidance from an instructor during Orange Unified School District’s College & Career Exploration Camp. (Photos courtesy of the Orange Unified School District) 
Camp participants practice choreography during a dance session at the College & Career Exploration Camp. (Photos courtesy of the Orange Unified School District) 
Two students smile as they take photos of each other using tablets during a lesson. (Photos courtesy of the Orange Unified School District) 
Students take part in a classroom activity designed to introduce real-world career skills. (Photos courtesy of the Orange Unified School District) 
A student works on a report while her group investigates a mock crime scene as part of the public safety rotation. (Photos courtesy of the Orange Unified School District)
More than 275 fourth- through sixth-grade students in the Orange Unified School District participated this summer in the district’s first College & Career Exploration Camp, a program designed to introduce elementary students to hands-on learning experiences tied to real-world professions.
Held over several weeks, the camp featured interactive sessions in areas such as health science, public safety, education, digital arts and dance. Students explored mock crime scenes, created digital art and photography, practiced dance moves and even tried out medical tools, all while engaging with guest speakers and industry professionals.
The program was launched by Craig Abercrombie, OUSD’s executive director of secondary education, and Ashley Higuera, the district’s coordinator of Career Technical Education. Together, they aimed to spark early curiosity while supporting long-term academic and personal development. The initiative supports the district’s efforts to expand early access to career education and build college and career awareness before high school.
“The College & Career Exploration Camp is rooted in our commitment to innovation and equity, ensuring every scholar has the opportunity to dream big and explore their future with purpose,” said Superintendent Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez. “When our youngest scholars engage in hands-on experiences across diverse industries, they begin to build confidence, curiosity, and meaningful connections. Programs like this help scholars see themselves in new ways and open doors to a future full of possibilities.”
Several campers expressed a growing interest in careers they hadn’t considered before, and many identified the program as a highlight of their summer. One parent shared, “My son loved it. His favorite was the medical rotation. He says, ‘I think I found my career.’ Thanks for helping.”
Building early career awareness, boosting student confidence and providing a free, enriching summer experience were key goals for the district. Following this year’s success, Orange Unified plans to expand the program by adding industry pathways, serving more students and strengthening local partnerships.
Here are the other stories we’re following this week:
- Three Beckman High School students created “Mozart in Me,” a teen-led music program supported by the Dragon Kim Foundation, to provide children on the autism spectrum with one-on-one music instruction and performance opportunities.
- The Orange County Department of Education has launched a new division that combines alternative education with student support services and appointed two leaders to strengthen coordination and outcomes.
- OCDE will host its ninth annual Interpreters and Translators Conference on Oct. 3–4 at Vanguard University, featuring keynote speaker Ewandro Magalhães and sessions focused on language access, professional development and community engagement.
- The Anaheim Union High School District is finalizing preparations to merge Orangeview Junior High with Western High into a new seventh- through 12th-grade campus, part of a broader response to declining enrollment and financial pressures across Orange County.
- Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Michael Matsuda has announced he will retire at the end of 2025 after 11 years in the role, as the district begins an internal search for his successor amid ongoing enrollment and budget challenges.
- The Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s 16th annual Summer Enrichment Institute reached record enrollment, offering more than 90 hands-on classes and programs for students in academics, arts, athletics and college readiness.
- Despite the loss of federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the 14th annual Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute returned to Anaheim with support from local sponsors and the Anaheim Elementary School District.
- Los Alamitos High School students, families and alumni raised nearly $12,000 through a swim-a-thon to support 2023 graduate and lifeguard Isaiah Osorio, who is recovering from a spinal cord injury sustained on the job.
- The Cypress School District has appointed Larry Ferchaw as its new assistant superintendent of business services, effective Aug. 1, bringing more than 20 years of experience in school finance and facilities management.
- Federal funding cuts and fears of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration have significantly reduced participation in Los Angeles Unified’s migrant student summer program, impacting educational activities and family engagement.
- California lawmakers are working to consolidate two proposed bills to strengthen charter school oversight following major fraud cases, with ongoing negotiations balancing accountability and regulatory impact, EdSource reported.
- A multistate lawsuit is challenging new federal rules that limit access to programs like Head Start for children without legal immigration status, arguing the changes could harm low-income families and impose burdensome requirements on service providers.
- The U.S. Department of Education has announced it will release more than $6 billion in previously withheld grant funding for schools, restoring support for programs including English language instruction, summer learning, and adult literacy.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.