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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
Classroom

Future of California’s ethnic studies requirement remains uncertain following May budget revision

Ian Hanigan May 19, 2025
Quick look: California’s plan to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement may be on hold — at least...
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and sports radio host Roger Lodge visit College Park Elementary students in Costa Mesa May 9. (Angels Baseball Foundation)

Weekly roundup: Los Angeles Angels bring star power to College Park Elementary, ten school districts named best in music education, and more

Madeline Gray May 16, 2025
College Park Elementary in Costa Mesa was buzzing with excitement last Friday as students and staff rolled out a warm...
teachers and students in classroom

OCDE’s Connections partners with Fullerton Head Start to expand DHH with disabilities program

Nathaniel Martinez May 15, 2025
Quick look: OCDE’s Connections program has expanded its Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Disabilities services to preschoolers through a new inclusive site at Fullerton Head Start, where students with and without disabilities learn and grow together. The program emphasizes...
Representatives from the OC Health Care Agency and OCDE celebrate student films at the regional Directing Change awards ceremony May 7. (Orange County Health Care Agency)

OC students recognized for raising mental health awareness through film

Madeline Gray May 14, 2025
Quick look: Six short films created by Orange County students were honored for spotlighting mental health and suicide prevention at...
California State Capitol Building

Governor’s plan maintains key education funding as state addresses $12 billion shortfall

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2025
Quick look: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget plan for 2025-26 preserves funding for key K-12 programs — including expanded learning...
Young Ken Kafton operating a printing press alongside Lin Trestrail in the San Joaquin School District print shop, early 1970s

Still printing after all these years: Irvine Unified employee has seen it all since day one

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2025
Quick look: Ken Kafton began working in Irvine Unified before the district was officially established. More than 50 years later, he continues to support schools as IUSD’s lead press operator — and was recently honored as one of the district’s...
McGarvin Intermediate School students from the Garden Grove Unified School District read and answer questions as a team during the Super Quiz round of the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon, held May 3 at Bolsa Grande High School.

Five Orange County teams heading to the United States Academic Pentathlon competition

Vicky Nguyen May 12, 2025
Quick look: Five middle school teams from Orange County will represent the region at the United States Academic Pentathlon National...
Two AVID Senior Standouts pose with bouquets ahead of the 2025 OC AVID Senior Standout Recognition and Scholarship Presentation, held April 23 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

2025 OC AVID senior standouts honored with more than $475,000 in scholarships

Vicky Nguyen May 12, 2025
Quick look: More than $475,000 in scholarships was awarded to 52 graduating seniors during the 2025 AVID Senior Standout celebration,...
U.S. Presidential Scholars Program medallion from YoungArts

Weekly roundup: 14 OC students named semifinalists for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, Artists of the Year take center stage, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 9, 2025
Fourteen Orange County high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, placing them among the nation’s top graduating students recognized for academic achievement, artistic excellence, and leadership in career and technical education. The U.S....
Retired U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano and Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Grace F. Napolitano Outdoor Learning Center at Sunburst Youth Academy.

Sunburst Youth Academy dedicates outdoor learning center in honor of Rep. Grace Napolitano

Ian Hanigan May 9, 2025
Quick look: Sunburst Youth Academy dedicated a new outdoor learning center in honor of retired Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, recognizing her...
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