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: OCFA says explosion threat eliminated at compromised tank

Staff reports May 25, 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

Anaheim Elementary School District announces its new superintendent

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2018

The Anaheim Elementary School District has found its next superintendent. Christopher Downing, who currently serves as a local district superintendent...

Weekly roundup: Gov. Brown’s new budget forecast, U.S. News’ Best High Schools, homeless education, and more

Ian Hanigan May 11, 2018

Gov. Jerry Brown’s latest budget proposal is forecasting a $8.8 billion surplus for next year, about $3 billion more than...

Members of the Jeffrey Trail Middle School Science Olympiad team

OC to send two teams to the Science Olympiad National Tournament in Colorado

Ian Hanigan May 10, 2018

After earning top honors at the Southern California State Science Olympiad Tournament last month, teams from two Orange County campuses will get to compete at the national level. Troy High School in Fullerton and Jeffrey Trail Middle School in Irvine...

Q&A: OCDE works to remove barriers and align resources for county’s homeless students

Ian Hanigan May 9, 2018

Jeanne Awrey says people are often shocked to learn that Orange County is home to approximately 28,000 homeless students. “That’s...

U.S. News reveals 2018 Best High Schools ranking; find out which OC campuses made the list

Fermin Leal May 9, 2018

Oxford Academy in Anaheim Union High School District ranked as the second best high school in California in the U.S....

students exhibit projects inside a gymnasium

Students to showcase more than 200 STEM-themed exhibits at ocMaker Challenge

Fermin Leal May 8, 2018

Students from across Orange County will exhibit more than 200 STEM-based designs that promote creativity and innovation at the ocMaker Challenge held this Friday and Saturday. The event will feature teams from middle schools, high schools and community colleges that built projects...

An image of Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares

Mijares: Remembering Mrs. Crane, and honoring all who teach and inspire

Al Mijares May 7, 2018

When I remember my fourth-grade teacher, I see a woman with strawberry-blond hair wearing a prim dress. In my mind,...

Weekly roundup: Anaheim High gets digitally mapped, OCDE names Teachers of the Year, and more

Fermin Leal May 4, 2018

Officials at Anaheim High School have built a virtual map of the campuses using the latest technology that could allow...

Three Orange County school districts win state award for improving attendance

Fermin Leal May 4, 2018

The California Department of Education has recognized the Anaheim Elementary School District, Ocean View School District and Orange Unified School District for their efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student attendance. The three local districts were among 16 statewide honored...