OCDE Newsroom

Juvenile justice program gives a glimpse into students’ lives through essay contest

Vicky Nguyen October 26, 2023

Eighteen students residing in the Orange County Juvenile Hall recently gave people a glimpse into their lives through writing and...

Weekly roundup: OCDE’s ACCESS addresses food insecurity with farmers market, OC students surpass state averages, and more

Vicky Nguyen October 20, 2023

Families and students from the Orange County Department of Education’s Alternative Education division — also known as ACCESS — were...

From the desk of Ramon Miramontes, Ed.D.

Miramontes: School connections are key to improving mental health, academic performance

Ramon Miramontes October 10, 2023

Times and technologies may change, but ensuring students feel a sense of connection at school is just as crucial as...

Edward James Olmos speaks to alternative education students and staff over Zoom.

Edward James Olmos encourages alternative education students to tell their own stories

Madeline Gray October 6, 2023

From the silver screen to the computer screens of OCDE’s Alternative Education program, Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor Edward...

The ACCESS 2 Character Education team presents their free curriculum resource at a conference.

Alternative education team sparks students’ love of reading with novel-based curriculum

Madeline Gray October 4, 2023

During a routine visit to Century Day School, Orange County Department of Education teacher Ryan Hinkle received a question from...

VIDEO: Nearly 3,400 educators gather in Orange County for sixth annual MTSS conference

Staff reports July 18, 2023

The sixth annual California MTSS Professional Learning Institute kicked off on Tuesday, July 18, bringing 3,400 educational leaders from across...

Weekly roundup: Student artists with disabilities to be featured at Bowers Museum, teacher hosts summer story time, and more

Madeline Gray July 7, 2023

Through the month of July, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana will be home to artwork designed by student artists...

ACCESS Graduation ceremony for areas 1, 2, 3

OCDE celebrates hundreds of new graduates at ACCESS commencement ceremony

Ian Hanigan June 28, 2023

Perseverance and purpose were recurring themes during a commencement ceremony for hundreds of students enrolled in OCDE’s Alternative Education program,...

Warner Middle School exit interviews handshake

Weekly roundup: Warner Middle School holds exit interviews for students, Newport-Mesa Unified announces key personnel changes, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 23, 2023

The Westminster School District added exit interviews to Warner Middle students’ eighth-grade promotion experience. On June 15, the district enlisted...

Food pantry started by OCDE’s ACCESS program celebrates one year of serving students, families

Ian Hanigan May 29, 2023

During the pandemic, schools administered by OCDE’s Alternative Education division — also known as ACCESS — began hosting drive-through food...