OCDE Newsroom

An aerial view shows emergency crews cooling a large industrial storage tank with water at the site of the Garden Grove chemical leak as mist rises from the facility.

Garden Grove chemical leak: OC school districts adjust operations as emergency response continues

Staff reports May 24, 2026

Sierra Vista Middle School students Aryan Shah, Krish Marfatia, Kaito Yamashita and Davis Barbee win the Stephenson Family Award for Sports History at the NHD-CA contest earlier this month.

Orange County claims state-leading honors at National History Day, sends 21 students to finals

Madeline Gray May 22, 2026

Students participating in the OC GRIP program gather at Angel Stadium before the Los Angeles Angels’ May 19 game against the Oakland Athletics.

Weekly roundup: Sports Illustrated highlights OC GRIP mentorship event at Angel Stadium, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 22, 2026

From left, Rebekah Rylant of Don Juan Avila Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District, Rolando Vivar of Fulton Middle School in the Fountain Valley School District and Pam McShea of Dysinger Elementary School in the Centralia Elementary School District were recognized with 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Advisor Awards from the Orange County Department of Education.

OCDE PAL team honors six campuses, three advisors for building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 21, 2026

Student from Connections at University High DHH program brings artistic ASL to school musical

Nathaniel Martinez May 20, 2026

Attendees visit information booths and speak with agency representatives during last year’s countywide transition resource fair, held indoors at the IUSD Learning Center. Tables from community organizations line the room as families gather materials and ask questions about services and employment supports.

OC event to connect students with disabilities and families to employment and community resources

Ian Hanigan February 19, 2026

Quick look: Students with disabilities and their families will gather March 10 in Irvine for the second annual “Empowering Transitions,...

Abner Mares shares his story with students from OCDE's Youth Reporting Center North.

Champion boxer Abner Mares connects with OCDE’s Youth Reporting Center North students through shared experience

Nathaniel Martinez February 17, 2026

Quick look: Former four-time world champion boxer Abner Mares shares his story with students at OCDE’s Youth Reporting Center North....

Volunteers take part in a previous Inside the Outdoors cleanup event at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach.

Inside the Outdoors to host volunteer habitat restoration at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park

Vicky Nguyen February 17, 2026

Inside the Outdoors will host a volunteer habitat restoration event at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park on Feb. 21, inviting families and community members to help remove invasive plants and support native ecosystems.

County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and Sue Parks, president and CEO of Orange County United Way, pose on the set of OCDE’s FutureCurrent podcast.

FutureCurrent: Connecting community and education with Sue Parks of OC United Way

Vicky Nguyen February 17, 2026

In the third episode of OCDE’s FutureCurrent podcast, Sue Parks of Orange County United Way reflects on her path to service and the importance of connecting families to resources that support student success.

Weekly roundup: Newport-Mesa kindergartner shines in Super Bowl halftime show, and more

Madeline Gray February 13, 2026

As millions of viewers tuned in for the iconic Super Bowl halftime show starring Grammy-winning pop star Bad Bunny on...

Mother and daughter sitting on a couch looking at a smartphone together

OCDE partners with digital safety group for Feb. 26 virtual event on online risks

Ian Hanigan February 12, 2026

OCDE will host a live virtual event on Feb. 26 to help families recognize online red flags and prevent dangerous digital situations. The session, presented with SmartSocial.com, offers practical guidance for parents and educators.

High school students from seven OC school districts connect with future employers at information booths in the Santa Ana College campus quad.

OC high school students get a firsthand look at careers in the arts

Madeline Gray February 10, 2026

Quick look: More than 650 Orange County high schoolers connected with arts employers and educators at the annual College and...

Foundation created by SchoolsFirst and OCDE announces $280,000 in teacher grants

Ian Hanigan February 10, 2026

A nonprofit founded by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of Education recently announced the distribution of...

Woodbridge High School wins ninth county Academic Decathlon title in 10 years

Ian Hanigan February 6, 2026

Quick look: Woodbridge High School claimed first place at the 2026 Orange County Academic Decathlon, earning its ninth county title in the past 10 years. More than 560 students competed across three divisions this year, with winners announced Friday night....

Weekly roundup: OCDE, Santa Ana Unified host community screening on career education, and more

Vicky Nguyen February 6, 2026

Students, families, educators and community partners recently gathered at Valley High School for a community screening of the documentary “Multiple Choice,”...