OCDE Newsroom

From left, Lynne Pentecost, CEO of Schoolhaus Advisors Inc.; Sara Ludovise and Yarib Dheming of OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors; Orange County Board of Education Trustee Mari Barke; Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean; board Clerk Dr. Ken Williams; board President Tim Shaw; Inside the Outdoors Operations Manager Stephanie Smith; and Robert Demmond, associate principal with tBP/Architecture, gather for the Rancho Soñado groundbreaking.

OCDE breaks ground on new Rancho Soñado education center, marking a long-awaited return

Ian Hanigan October 6, 2026

Saddleback High School students learn about plants and growing techniques during a Sept. 21 event celebrating the school’s $10,000 Future Innovators Initiative grant from Hyundai.

$10,000 Hyundai grant supports Saddleback High’s plans for outdoor STEM learning

Vicky Nguyen October 6, 2026

Attendees pose with Carl the Collector and OCDE Language Services Coordinator Natalia Abarca, in orange, during the department’s International Translation Day celebration at PBS SoCal studios in Costa Mesa.

OCDE celebrates International Translation Day at PBS SoCal studios

Vicky Nguyen October 5, 2026

Stacey Middle School students perform El Baile de las Cintas, or the dance of the ribbons, at the City's Fall Festival Culture Night on Sept. 24 honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photos courtesy of Westminster School District)

Weekly roundup: Westminster students honor Hispanic Heritage Month through music and dance, and more

Madeline Gray October 2, 2026

New podcast in English and Spanish guides Orange County families through educational landscape

Madeline Gray October 1, 2026

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...

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 decades of advocacy for at-promise youth. The $500,000 project was funded in partnership with OCDE, the California National Guard and...

State leaders briefed on California MTSS gains, encouraged to sustain framework

Ian Hanigan May 8, 2025

Quick look: State leaders were briefed Thursday on the progress of the California MTSS framework, which has demonstrated success in...

Group photo of OCDE Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Board of Education members Jorge Valdes, Mari Barke, Ken Williams, Lisa Sparks and Tim Shaw standing with student Rebecca Page and her teacher Mike Zanio.

‘A time to reflect, to honor’: Students participate in Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest

Ian Hanigan May 8, 2025

Quick look: OCDE student Rebecca Page earned top honors in the Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest,...

Students with their Civic Learning Pathway certificates

OCDE honors students and schools for civic learning achievements

Nathaniel Martinez May 7, 2025

The Orange County Department of Education recently celebrated local school districts and their students for championing civic learning at its annual OC Civic Learning Celebration. More than 100 people gathered at the OC Holocaust Education Center on April 24 to...