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

OCDE students channel creativity to explore wellness and advocacy through TUPE Art Showcase

Ian Hanigan April 30, 2025

In a quiet hallway of a Mission Viejo community center, a gallery of student artwork lines the walls, each piece...

Performing drummers at the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival

WATCH: 49th annual Arts and Disability Festival showcases creativity and inclusion

Ian Hanigan April 30, 2025

Hundreds gathered at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana this past Saturday to celebrate the talents of artists with disabilities during...

2025 California Classified School Employees of the Year

Three from Orange County named California Classified School Employees of the Year

Vicky Nguyen April 29, 2025

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced nine California Classified School Employees of the Year for 2025 — a group that includes a head custodian, a nutrition operations supervisor and a painter from Orange County. This marks the...

After months apart, cadets at Sunburst share a powerful reunion with families

Nathaniel Martinez April 29, 2025

Even from the back of the parking lot some 100 yards away, the cheers of excited parents seeing their child...

Longtime IUSD educator Cassie Parham named district’s next superintendent

Ian Hanigan April 28, 2025

The Irvine Unified School District didn’t have to go far to find its next leader. Following a comprehensive search with...

OCDE marks Fentanyl Awareness Day by spotlighting ongoing resources for student safety

Ian Hanigan April 28, 2025

With Fentanyl Awareness Day approaching on April 29, the Orange County Department of Education is encouraging schools to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of overdose prevention — and offering a range of resources to support...

Dr. Stefan Bean aboard the USS Midway Museum

Dr. Bean reflects on journey from Vietnam to county superintendent at event marking 50th anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind

Ian Hanigan April 27, 2025

Five decades after being airlifted out of Vietnam at age 4, Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean addressed...

A Huntington Beach Union High School District student, right, high-fives a Westcliff University student-athlete during Inclusive Sports Day at Edison High School.

Weekly roundup: Inclusive Sports Day celebrates students in Huntington Beach, Fullerton students shine in K-pop competition, and more

Vicky Nguyen April 25, 2025

More than 200 students from three Huntington Beach Union High School District campuses gathered at Edison High School on April...

OC high school students launch substance use prevention podcast

Nathaniel Martinez April 25, 2025

Get ready to make room for one more podcast in your rotation. The Orange County Youth Council, administered by OCDE, is launching its “Keep in Mind” podcast — a student-led series that explores substance use prevention and other health topics...

Orange Unified names Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez as next superintendent

Ian Hanigan April 24, 2025

Following an extensive search, the Orange Unified School District has announced the selection of Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez as its...