OCDE Newsroom

Sam Darnold posing with his retired jersey alongside Head Coach Jaime Ortiz at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente.

San Clemente High School alumnus Sam Darnold has jersey retired and is inducted into school’s Hall of Fame

Nathaniel Martinez July 16, 2026

Recipients of the 2025 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards gather for a group photo following last year's awards celebration at the Orange County Department of Education Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE announces 2026 Outstanding STEM Educators

Vicky Nguyen July 15, 2026

Natalia Abarca, coordinator of OCDE’s Language Services unit, welcomes guests to the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Conference.

Language access professionals to celebrate 10 years of growth at OCDE conference

Vicky Nguyen July 14, 2026

Students in the inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant cohort celebrate completing the tuition-free program offered through a partnership between Orange Unified School District and Santiago Canyon College. Participants completed coursework and hands-on clinical training while still enrolled in high school.

Weekly roundup: Orange Unified, Santiago Canyon College celebrates first certified nursing assistant cohort, and more

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2026

Dr. Stefan Bean raises his right hand while his four children administer the oath of office during an Orange County Board of Education meeting.

Orange County superintendent, board members sworn in at organizational meeting

Ian Hanigan July 9, 2026

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...

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...

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, for the first Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum Conference, held Feb. 28 and March 1. Hosted by the...

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...

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 hosted by the Orange County Department of Education. Held at the OC Fair & Event Center, the 11th annual event...

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...

Inside the Outdoors to host volunteer restoration day at Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park

Nathaniel Martinez February 26, 2025

Calling all nature enthusiasts: Inside the Outdoors, in partnership with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, is organizing a volunteer restoration day at Harriett Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach to help preserve its unique coastal habitat. The event will take place...

Students, wearing their medals, present their projects to judges for evaluation during the 2024 National History Day-Orange County competition.

Students to compete in National History Day-OC with projects on ‘Rights and Responsibilities’

Vicky Nguyen February 25, 2025

Students from across Orange County will present original research and creative projects at the 2025 National History Day-Orange County competition,...