Students participate in an outdoor hands-on activity during the Tustin Summer Academy, which offers a variety of enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students. (Photo courtesy of Tustin Unified School District and the Tustin Public Schools Foundation) 
Students participate in a robotics activity during the Tustin Summer Academy, where campers explore hands-on learning experiences beyond the traditional school curriculum. (Photo courtesy of Tustin Unified School District and the Tustin Public Schools Foundation) 
A student mentor works with campers during the Tustin Summer Academy, a summer enrichment program that has served thousands of students since its launch in 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tustin Unified School District and the Tustin Public Schools Foundation)
Students are spending part of their summer baking sourdough bread, designing robots, publishing children’s books and exploring cuisines from around the world through the Tustin Summer Academy, according to a feature by the Orange County Register.
The enrichment program, operated by the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, began in 2011 and has grown from about 300 students to roughly 1,750 campers participating in 41 classes offered across two two-week sessions.
Erick Fineberg, camp director of the Tustin Summer Academy, told Orange County Register photographer Jeff Gritchen the academy was created to give students opportunities to explore subjects and interests not typically offered during the regular school year.
“It’s an opportunity to provide curriculum that’s not offered during the school year so students can experience something new and see if there’s an interest there,” Fineberg said.
The newspaper also highlighted high school intern Kiana Fedewa, a former camper who now mentors younger students. Reflecting on her experience, the Beckman High School senior said, “The best part of being an intern is our personal connection with the students.”
The program has welcomed more than 12,500 students since its founding, the Register reported.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- OCDE has developed a Family Digital Literacy Toolkit to help parents understand social media algorithms, recognize substance use trends and use platform safety settings to reduce students’ exposure to drug-, alcohol- and nicotine-related content.
- A California initiative allows schools to use existing student health insurance coverage to help fund mental health services, providing additional support for student well-being at no cost to families.
- Orange County students earned a national championship, finalist honors, special awards and a Smithsonian showcase selection at the 2026 National History Day National Contest held at the University of Maryland.
- The Cypress School District Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Grant Litfin, currently an assistant superintendent in Tustin Unified School District, as its next superintendent beginning July 1.
- The Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education unanimously voted to rename Rosita Elementary School as Frank and Irene Palomino Elementary School in honor of the family’s role in the landmark Mendez v. Westminster school desegregation case.
- Six San Clemente High School students traveled to Washington, D.C., to present workforce solutions they developed through the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s Futures™ program in partnership with local employers.
- The Ocean View School District Board of Trustees appointed Harbour View Elementary PTA President Jennifer Rank to fill a vacant board seat following the resignation of Trustee Jack Souders.
- In the latest episode of FutureCurrent, Arts & Learning Conservatory founder Debora Wondercheck discusses how expanding access to arts education can help students build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.
- The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education appointed Andrés Chait as superintendent following Alberto Carvalho’s resignation, placing the longtime district educator in charge as LAUSD faces budget challenges, declining enrollment and ongoing academic priorities.
- Parents and disability advocates are expressing concerns that federal plans to shift special education oversight and civil rights enforcement to other agencies could further delay responses to discrimination complaints involving students with disabilities.
- California’s Class of 2026 set a record by surpassing a 70 percent completion rate for financial aid applications, reflecting increased participation in programs that help students pay for college and career training.
- A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked enforcement of California’s law limiting when schools can disclose a student’s gender identity or expression to parents while legal challenges continue.
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, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.