Nearly 300 guests gathered March 4 at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts as the 2026 Orange County Music and Arts Administrators honored educators, advocates and community partners for advancing arts education across the county.
Forty-two Orange County middle and high schools have been named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, considered the state’s highest honor for public education.
OCDE has announced six OC school districts as the first awardees of its Innovation Funding Initiative, supporting projects aimed at strengthening student engagement and achievement.
Nine outstanding school employees from throughout the county have been named the 2026 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year. Representing nine distinct service categories, the honorees will be celebrated during Classified School Employee Week and are eligible for state and national recognition.