Quick look: Orange County schools are reopening for the 2025-26 year, with most starting in August and some year-round programs already underway. Districts are navigating declining enrollment, a mixed state budget and a continued emphasis on student outcomes.
Ready or not, the 2025-26 school year is about to begin.
While it may feel like summer break just started, schools across Orange County are already busy getting ready to welcome students back to campus — and some sooner than others.
Here’s a quick look at start dates, enrollment trends and other fast facts about public education in the county, by the numbers and beyond.
Start dates across the county
The first students on traditional calendars will return to class on Aug. 6, including those enrolled in schools in the Anaheim Elementary, Centralia Elementary and Savanna school districts, as well as the Anaheim Union High School District.
Most districts will follow between Aug. 11 and Aug. 21, including the Brea Olinda, Garden Grove, Laguna Beach, Los Alamitos, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Saddleback Valley, Newport-Mesa and Irvine unified school districts.
Be sure to scroll through the graphic above to find the start date for your district.
Not everyone starts in August
At the other end of the spectrum, the Huntington Beach City School District will open its doors on Sept. 2, making it the last to start in the county and the only district to resume after Labor Day. (A few year-round programs, including those in Irvine, resumed earlier in July.)
Charter schools may follow different academic calendars, so families are encouraged to check their school website for the most accurate schedule.
OC enrollment trends
Orange County’s public school enrollment is projected at 429,869 students this year — down from more than 497,000 in 2014-15.
The decline reflects a decade-long trend tied to rising housing costs and lower birth rates. Fewer students mean fewer dollars, and districts have been carefully tracking projections while balancing rising operational costs.
California’s budget outlook
Despite a $12 billion state deficit, California’s latest budget maintains support for TK-12 education.
The $321.1 billion spending plan includes $114.6 billion for schools and community colleges, fully funds the Local Control Funding Formula — that’s the state’s primary mechanism for distributing money to school districts based on student needs — and provides a 2.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment.
Key state investments
The state budget continues to support the expansion of transitional kindergarten for all 4-year-olds, and more than $400 million will be invested in early literacy, including educator training and the hiring of literacy coaches.
Other major investments include math instruction, teacher preparation and $300 million to support aspiring teachers through credentialing.
However, about $1.9 billion in education payments will be deferred to the next fiscal year, a move that helps preserve programs but may create uncertainty for long-term planning.
OCDE’s strategic plan
To support districts and student success, the Orange County Department of Education has aligned its work around a countywide roadmap known as the 5-3-1 Strategic Plan.
The plan outlines five focus areas — emotional intelligence, career education, AI integration, school safety and innovative funding — along with three core support objectives and one unifying goal: improving outcomes for students in OCDE’s alternative education program, known as ACCESS, by the year 2030.
“Our 5-3-1 Plan is one way we’re organizing the energy and passion we see across this county,” said County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean. “It’s about better outcomes, stronger relationships and real opportunities for every student.”