OCDE Newsroom

Tustin Memorial Academy students Vivienne, Cora, Miles, Maddie and Delnia win first place and the community-focused award from the Municipal Water District of OC for their dynamic prototype called "The Cat Robot."

PHOTOS: Orange County student makers celebrated for creating problem-solving innovations

Madeline Gray June 16, 2026

“A Moment in the Sun,” created by Juni Lee, a 12th-grade student at Sunny Hills High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.

93rd Festival of Arts to showcase more than 330 pieces by Orange County students

Vicky Nguyen June 16, 2026

Participants sit at round tables during the State of the Student Forum at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa while listening to a panel discussion and presentation about student outcomes and community partnerships.

State of the Student Forum sparks conversation about supporting OC learners

Ian Hanigan June 15, 2026

Painters from Warner Middle School and Westminster High School pose for a photo while working on a mural depicting the ecosystems of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.

Weekly roundup: Westminster students create mural inspired by Bolsa Chica Wetlands, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 12, 2026

The bell behind the brand

Nathaniel Martinez June 10, 2026

Boxing champ talks knockdowns and decisions with students from OCDE’s alternative ed program

Ian Hanigan November 23, 2020

As a champion prizefighter shared his story, students from OCDE’s alternative education program had virtual ringside seats. Abner Mares, who...

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana Unified debuts new pilot program, OC moves to most restrictive purple tier, and more

Nichole Pichardo November 20, 2020

To help students and families who require extra help with distance learning, the Santa Ana Unified School District recently launched...

Huntington Beach City School District lands new superintendent

Ian Hanigan November 19, 2020

A veteran educational leader from Laguna Beach Unified has been tapped to serve as the next superintendent of the Huntington Beach City School District. Dr. Leisa Winston, whose career spans more than 20 years as an elementary special education teacher,...

OC Pathways Showcase takes a virtual journey through career and technical education in Orange County

Nichole Pichardo November 18, 2020

“It’s never too early to start building your network.” That’s the advice Doug Palladini, global brand president for Vans, said...

From behind the scenes to the front line: Here’s how maintenance teams are keeping OC campuses healthy

Nichole Pichardo November 17, 2020

It’s not just hand sanitizer, hand washing and social distancing that keep our local schools and workplaces safe. A group...

Sous chef from Anaheim announced as one of California’s top classified employees

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2020

A sous chef from the Anaheim Union High School District has been named one of six 2020 California Classified School Employees of the Year. Phillip Burns, who has spent the last seven years in Anaheim’s Food Services division, earned top...

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana Unified enters partnership, secondary students return in Newport-Mesa, and more

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2020

The 50,000-student Santa Ana Unified School District and six other large districts in California recently announced they’re committing to a...

Virtual school counseling conference draws more than 700 attendees

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2020

Nurturing student resilience was the focus of a virtual conference attended by hundreds of Orange County school counselors and educational...

State Board of Education approves shortened standardized tests for students

Nichole Pichardo November 12, 2020

The California State Board of Education last week voted unanimously to adopt a shortened version of the Smarter Balanced standardized tests in English language arts and mathematics. Each spring, California students in grades three through eight and 11 take the...

OCDE’s homeless education program seeks supplies for local families

Ian Hanigan November 10, 2020

OCDE’s stockpile of supplies for families experiencing homelessness is running on empty. Jeanne Awrey, who coordinates the department’s homeless education...