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Weekly roundup: Three OC campuses named 2026 Model Continuation High Schools, and more

Madeline Gray March 13, 2026
County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean speaks from the stage to a seated audience during the Orange County State of Education event

OC State of Education: Dr. Bean delivers a message of progress, partnership and shared responsibility

Ian Hanigan March 13, 2026
Megan Arthurton of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District stands with her award after receiving the Irene Schoepfle Lifetime Achievement Award for Music at the 2026 OCMAA Awards.

Spotlight shines on arts educators, advocates at 2026 OCMAA Awards

Vicky Nguyen March 12, 2026
Students give a presentation on the ethics of AI at last year's Student and Community Voice AI Summit.

Students, educators to share real-world AI classroom experiences at Student and Community Voice AI Summit

Nathaniel Martinez March 12, 2026
A photo from 1893 showing students at Garden Grove School

OCDE’s origin story dates back to this day in 1889

Ian Hanigan March 11, 2026
2025 FSD Hermosa Elementary School Mural

Hermosa Drive Elementary unveils student-designed mural celebrating kindness and community

Vicky Nguyen June 24, 2025
Students returning to Hermosa Drive Elementary School this fall will be greeted by a colorful new mural that celebrates kindness, community and student voice.
Sunburst Youth Academy cadets in uniform embrace and smile outside the venue following their graduation ceremony.

‘We are proud of you’: Sunburst graduation marks a turning point for 171 cadets

Ian Hanigan June 20, 2025
Sunburst Youth Academy, a partnership between the California National Guard and OCDE, celebrated its 35th graduating class on June 20, honoring 171 cadets — including 15 who earned high school diplomas.
Student speakers from Newport Heights Elementary School pose backstage with school counselor Lauren Smith, back row center, and Principal Terri Clarke, far left, following a TED-Ed Showcase event at Newport Harbor High School. (Photo courtesy of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District)

Weekly roundup: Newport Heights students present original talks at TED-Ed Showcase, Santiago Charter Middle schoolers take college courses, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 20, 2025
Students from Newport Heights Elementary School recently presented original talks on a range of timely topics during a TED-Ed Showcase Event hosted at Newport Harbor High School. As members of the school’s TED-Ed after-school club, the student speakers explored issues...
“Strings of Identity” by Jennie Rah, a ninth-grade student at Portola High School, will be featured in the 2025 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.

92nd Festival of Arts to showcase more than 350 pieces by Orange County students

Vicky Nguyen June 18, 2025
Featuring more than 350 pieces by transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students, the 2025 Junior Art Exhibit at the Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach opens July 2 in Partnership with OCDE and Arts Orange County. Selected from nearly 1,800 submissions, the display includes works by students with disabilities and 13 student-created films, showcasing creativity, inclusion and the importance of arts education.
Friday Night Live students

More funding, fewer problems: OCDE’s Friday Night Live program expands youth prevention efforts

Nathaniel Martinez June 17, 2025
Quick look: Backed by a new three-year contract from the Orange County Health Care Agency, OCDE’s Friday Night Live program...
King Elementary School students perform their song, "Here at King School" to encourage healthy habits and drug prevention among their peers.

WATCH: Santa Ana fifth graders promote drug-free message in music video

Madeline Gray June 16, 2025
Through original lyrics and a familiar tune, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School fifth-grade students used music to share what they learned about saying no to drugs and making healthy choices as part of OCDE’s Youth Substance Use Prevention program.
Laguna Beach High School student Lauren Norrix and Tesoro High School student Isaiah Medina will head to New York City this week to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, known as the Jimmys, on Broadway June 23. (Photo courtesy of Laguna Beach Unified School District Theatre) (Photo courtesy of Jesse Madison and Tesoro Theatre Arts)

Weekly roundup: Two OC students head to Broadway for national theater awards, 14-year-old graduates with UCI’s Class of 2025, and more

Madeline Gray June 13, 2025
Tesoro High School student Isaiah Medina and Laguna Beach High School student Lauren Norrix will represent Orange County at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, the nation's top celebration of student talent in musical theater.
Dr. Stefan Bean speaks on stage during his opening remarks. A presentation slide behind him displays his name and title.

OCDE shares student achievement and wellness data at first State of the Student Forum

Ian Hanigan June 12, 2025
OCDE hosted its first State of the Student Forum on June 12 to review the latest data on student outcomes with educational and community partners. The report highlights key successes and areas for growth, with the goal of driving positive, data-informed change.
Dr. Jason E. Glass

Laguna Beach Unified welcomes new superintendent, Dr. Jason Glass

Ian Hanigan June 11, 2025
Laguna Beach Unified has named Dr. Jason Glass as its next superintendent starting July 1. Orange and Irvine Unified School Districts also recently hired new superintendents, while Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified is actively searching for its next chief.
Aliso Niguel High School graduates in the Capistrano Valley Unified School District toss their caps at the end of their commencement ceremony June 5. (Courtesy of Capistrano Unified School District)

Caps off to the Class of 2025: A roundup of graduation moments from social media

Madeline Gray June 10, 2025
From Anaheim to Aliso Viejo, graduates from more than 100 public high schools in Orange County are stepping onto commencement...
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