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Participants and supporters, some dressed in team costumes, cheer from the stands during the Super Quiz Relay at the 2025 Orange County Academic Decathlon.

Academic event season is coming up. Here are some key dates for 2026.

Vicky Nguyen December 16, 2025
Sunburst cadet with stylist

Sunburst cadets suit up for life after graduation

Nathaniel Martinez December 15, 2025
Students from Segerstrom High School’s Class of 2025 take part in their graduation ceremony on May 28.

Weekly roundup: OC districts join CSU Direct Admission Program for fall 2026, and more

Vicky Nguyen December 12, 2025
A note from Dr. Bean

Dr. Bean: OCDE is investing in bold ideas to strengthen student success

Stefan Bean December 10, 2025
mathematics lesson

OCDE to host Math Instructional Materials Fair on Jan. 22

Vicky Nguyen December 9, 2025

Orange County teens to stage ‘Reality Party’ to spotlight the dangers of underage drinking

Ian Hanigan February 24, 2015
Local prevention organizations are joining forces to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking by staging a “Reality Party for Parents” in Lake Forest this Saturday. Teen actors from the Santiago de Compostela Church Youth Ministry’s Friday Night Live chapter plan to portray typical party scenes exposing the perils of underage alcohol consumption, as well as the culture of binge-drinking. Participants will also voice concerns about adults who host drinking parties for minors. [...]
Friday Night Live logo

OC students earn grant funding for campaigns to address traffic safety, underage drinking

Ian Hanigan February 19, 2015
Working through a program called Friday Night Live, some enterprising students from Orange County are taking it upon themselves to promote traffic safety and prevent underage drinking. And now they’re about to get a little extra help -- in the form of a $17,500 grant from the California Friday Night Live Partnership. […]
An image of Westminster High School's Academic Decathlon team

Westminster High leads a pack of five OC schools headed to the California Academic Decathlon

Ian Hanigan February 18, 2015
Marking a first in the 47-year history of the Orange County Academic Decathlon, five O.C. schools have been selected to advance to next month’s state decathlon in Sacramento. Cheers rang out in a packed Orange Coast College auditorium on Feb. 17 night as perennial powerhouse Westminster High was named the overall team winner with 50,981.8 points. Along with a special plaque, individual medals and local bragging rights, the school will receive a $4,000 travel stipend from the Orange County Academic Decathlon Association, which joined OCDE in announcing this year’s winners. [...]
Science Olympiad Logo

A dozen Science Olympiad teams from Orange County advance to state competition

Ian Hanigan February 14, 2015
On a day for roses, it was all about STEM at UCI on Saturday. More than 650 students from 17 middle schools and 28 high schools spent a good part of Valentine’s Day competing in the 30th Annual Orange County Regional Science Olympiad on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. […]
An image of young students using desktop computers

New web-based state assessments to emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving

Ian Hanigan February 10, 2015
Next-generation assessments are coming soon to a classroom near you. Over the last few years, California has introduced new instructional...
An image of Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares

Mijares: Research suggests ‘grit’ plays a significant role in a student’s educational success

Al Mijares February 9, 2015
In education, we often talk about the factors that contribute to academic achievement. We talk about quality teaching, family support, high expectations and the role we all play in the success of our students. We dialogue about poverty, crime and how a lack of access to health care and basic services can stand as barriers to college and career readiness. Yet there’s another factor that research suggests is a major gauge of growth and development. In fact it’s a personal trait we know as grit. […]
An image of students at the Orange County Academic Decathlon

Academic Decathlon is all about teamwork, building 21st-century skills — and having fun

Ian Hanigan February 9, 2015
They enter the gym dressed in matching outfits, some carrying pom-poms, others with painted faces. They look nervous and excited. Students spend months preparing for this day. In fact, the average Orange County Academic Decathlon participant reports spending about 20 to 25 hours a week practicing. Staged over two weekends in January and February, this year's Decathlon drew 41 high schools and more than 500 students who competed as individuals and teams for top honors -- and a chance to represent the OC at the state-level contest. […]

Human Trafficking Summit at OCDE draws nearly 200 educators and school-based professionals

Ian Hanigan January 31, 2015
OCDE, in partnership with the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and Vanguard University, hosted a Human Trafficking Summit for nearly 200 educators and school-based professionals on Jan. 29 at the department’s headquarters in Costa Mesa. The summit’s objective was to teach those working at the frontlines of education about human trafficking, how to identify it and how to report suspicious activities. Experts say that could be the difference in saving a life. [...]
Science Olympiad Logo

30th Annual Regional Science Olympiad promotes STEM education in OC

Ian Hanigan January 29, 2015
This is the first year that all teams will be combined in one competition location, with 18 middle schools and 28 high schools registered to participate. The winning teams from the competition will move forward to compete in the State Science Olympiad in April. [...]
A screenshot of participants in the Student Technology Showcase

Student Technology Showcase: What’s on your bathroom shelf? (video)

Ian Hanigan January 28, 2015
Students from Imperial Middle School in the La Habra City School District were recently tasked with developing their own cosmetic. After researching and creating a product, they developed a marketing and advertising campaign using a variety of technologies.
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