OCDE Newsroom

Behind the credentials: OCDE’s Credentialing team keeps Orange County educators cleared at all times

Nathaniel Martinez October 9, 2026

Students in Hicks Canyon Elementary School's Mandarin Immersion Program pose with educators during the school's Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. Several children wore traditional Chinese-inspired clothing for the occasion. (Photo courtesy of the Tustin Unified School District)

Weekly roundup: Hicks Canyon Elementary students celebrate language and culture during Mid-Autumn Festival, and more

Vicky Nguyen October 9, 2026

College and Career Preparatory Academy student Samantha A. takes the stage to accept her Perseverance Award at the June 16 graduation ceremony.

WATCH: OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy celebrates one of its largest graduating classes

Madeline Gray October 9, 2026

Wendy Saldivar poses with Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean after receiving her 2027 Orange County Teacher of the Year award during a surprise classroom visit in April.

Loara Elementary teacher named one of five 2027 California Teachers of the Year

Vicky Nguyen October 8, 2026

Four education leaders pose at the Fullerton School District Board of Education meeting on July 27, 2026, holding a large ceremonial $525,000 check from OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative.

OCDE opens second round of Innovation Funding Initiative, offering up to $525,000 per project

Ian Hanigan October 7, 2026

2021 Tustin Unified Voices United Honor Choir

Voices United: Tustin Unified fifth-grade honor choir celebrates resilience during a challenging year

Nichole Pichardo June 17, 2021

While looking back at graduations, celebrations and promotions from across the county, OCDE Newsroom staff recently came across a...

Superintendent Mafi and Sebastian Lozano

In the news: Harvard-bound student credits success to Garden Grove superintendent’s mentor program

Nichole Pichardo June 14, 2021

A Spectrum News 1 crew recently highlighted the inspiring story of a Garden Grove student’s journey to Harvard University and...

Raymond Tran-Nguyen First Place Painting, “Unity” (L to R: Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-48), CMHS Student Raymond Tran-Nguyen)

Weekly roundup: Two OC students win top honors at Congressional Art Competition; Corona del Mar senior writes book on global water crisis; and more

Nichole Pichardo June 11, 2021

Two Orange County students recently received top honors in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Senior Raymond Tran-Nguyen of Costa Mesa High School earned the People’s Choice award in the 48th congressional district, and Catherine Liu of Oxford Academy was recognized...

A six-year promise between Irvine students and a Seattle-based CEO turns into nearly $50,000 in college scholarships

Nichole Pichardo June 10, 2021

In 2015, sixth-grade Woodbury Elementary School teacher Hilary Dimitruk (now Hilary Gray) saw a story on the news about a...

Caps off to the Class of 2021: a roundup of OC graduation pics from social media

Nichole Pichardo June 9, 2021

After nearly sixteen months of living and learning through a global pandemic, high school seniors across Orange County are finally...

Registration is now open for Inside the Outdoors Virtual Summer Camp

Nichole Pichardo June 7, 2021

For the second consecutive year, OCDE’s environmental education program — better known as Inside the Outdoors — will offer a free virtual summer camp for students ages 6 to 12 years old. From mid July through early August, ITO will...

Weekly roundup: Top scholars from the class of 2021, a community’s search for a kidney donor, and more

Ian Hanigan June 4, 2021

One student with a 4.7 grade-point average is headed to USC with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. Another student...

Angels Baseball Foundation honors eighth-grade standout students

Nichole Pichardo June 3, 2021

Sixty-two Orange County eighth-graders have been honored for their outstanding work in a program that prepares students for college. And...

VIDEO: With mental health in focus, school-based WellSpace centers offer ‘a space of calm’

Ian Hanigan June 2, 2021

Imagine a space on a middle or high school campus that resembles a tranquil coffee house or the lobby of a high-end spa, replete with soft lighting, comfortable chairs, relaxing literature and light snacks. And imagine all that’s asked...

Orange County students honored for films on suicide prevention and mental health

Nichole Pichardo June 1, 2021

Three mental health videos produced by students from Orange County recently earned statewide honors in the 2021 Directing Change Program...