OCDE Newsroom

Los Alamitos High School students win first place in the "mental health" and "through the lens of culture" categories at the 2024 Directing Change Film Program and Contest awards on May 21. (Courtesy of Los Alamitos Unified School District)

OCDE’s student-led SAMH program transforms mental health awareness across OC

Nathaniel Martinez March 12, 2025

Five years ago, OCDE’s Youth Development program asked itself how it could create a mental health program for students that...

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, 2025

Today quietly marks an important anniversary for Orange County — and the Orange County Department of Education. On March 11,...

group photo of Outstanding STEM educators

OC STEM Initiative seeks nominations for 2025 Outstanding STEM Educators

Vicky Nguyen March 10, 2025

The OC STEM Initiative, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and Cox Communications, is inviting community members to nominate exceptional educators for the 2025 Outstanding STEM Educators awards. This recognition program honors individuals who advance STEM education...

Weekly roundup: Educators gather in Merced to explore Hmong history, OC schools join nationwide Read Across America celebrations, and more

Vicky Nguyen March 7, 2025

More than 200 educators, scholars and community members from across California and beyond gathered at the University of California, Merced,...

Dr. Bean: Inside the Outdoors celebrates 50 years of learning, discovery and renewal

Stefan Bean March 6, 2025

For five decades, Inside the Outdoors has served as a gateway to discovery, inspiring generations of students to connect with...

IUSD Sierra Vista MS Science Olympiad Team

Top Orange County teams advance to Southern California Science Olympiad

Vicky Nguyen March 5, 2025

Six middle schools and six high schools from Orange County will advance to the 2025 Southern California Science Olympiad, set to take place on April 12 at Caltech. The competition brings together top-performing teams from across the state to showcase...

Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean, OCDE director of career education Kathy Boyd and more celebrate the 12th annual OC Pathways Showcase with students from 16 local school districts.

WATCH: Hundreds of participants connect with Orange County’s career pathways

Madeline Gray March 4, 2025

Orange County students took the stage to present their career-ready technical skills and innovative projects at the OC Pathways Showcase...

Winners of the 2025 Orange County Spelling Bee

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y: Seventh-grader wins Orange County Spelling Bee in 14 rounds

Ian Hanigan March 1, 2025

Orange County has a new spelling bee champ. Seventh-grader Sydney Tran from El Rancho Charter School took home the title...

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana promotes healthy eating with eco-friendly food truck, Loara High in Anaheim opens WellSpace, and more

Madeline Gray February 28, 2025

“La Trokita Verde” — Spanish for the little green truck — will begin serving plant-based meals to students on campuses across Santa Ana Unified School District just in time for National Nutrition Month. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Santa Ana Nutrition...