OCDE Newsroom

Four education leaders pose at the Fullerton School District Board of Education meeting on July 27, 2026, holding a large ceremonial $525,000 check from OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative.

OCDE opens second round of Innovation Funding Initiative, offering up to $525,000 per project

Ian Hanigan October 7, 2026

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

WATCH: Celebrity Chef Jonathan Zaragoza highlights Ocean View High School’s Hispanic Heritage Festival

Nathaniel Martinez September 19, 2024

Tacos are generally a can’t-miss food item in terms of taste. Now imagine how much better they would taste if...

OCDE business services chief honored with state award for educational leadership

Ian Hanigan September 17, 2024

Dean West, OCDE’s associate superintendent of Business Services, was honored by the California County Superintendents on Tuesday during the group’s...

Nine OC students among Thermo Fisher Scientific’s list of top junior innovators

Vicky Nguyen September 17, 2024

From developing an automatic aquaponic system to creating AI-powered detectors and energy harvesting solutions, nine students from Orange County have been named among the top 300 junior innovators in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge — one of...

OC fire update: Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools reopen Tuesday as evacuation orders are lifted

Staff reports September 16, 2024

Below is a running digest on Orange County fires and school closures. For official information on local fires, evacuations and...

Elementary Pupils Collecting Healthy Lunch In Cafeteria

Six Orange County campuses recently named among America’s Healthiest Schools

Madeline Gray September 16, 2024

Six Orange County schools were recognized for their dedication to advancing the health of students, staff and families — earning...

District and high school leadership attend the opening of the Jan & Ross Billings Innovation Center of Excellence on Sept. 5. (Anaheim Union High School District)

Weekly roundup: Cybersecurity center is unveiled at Magnolia High, 45 student teams race in Hydrogen Grand Prix final, and more

Madeline Gray September 13, 2024

Magnolia High School students enrolled in the cybersecurity pathway will further enhance their technological operations skills with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, thanks to the new Jan & Ross Billings Innovation Center of Excellence. The two-story center spanning over 22,000 square...

California students compete at the National History Day nationals contest in College Park, Maryland from June 11 to June 15.

OCDE will kick off National History Day season with teacher training

Madeline Gray September 12, 2024

Every year, social science educators across the country inspire students to dive deep into historical events, uncovering new perspectives through...

OCDE seeks community feedback through annual Educational Partner Survey

Ian Hanigan September 12, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education is inviting local educators, students, parents and other community members to participate in its...

Orange County Department of Education welcomes Gregory Rolen as new general counsel

Ian Hanigan September 11, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education has appointed Gregory Rolen as its new general counsel, concluding a comprehensive selection process with a unanimous vote by the Orange County Board of Education. Currently a partner at the firm of Haight Brown...

PYLUSD Universal Sports Institute Open House

WATCH: Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified hosts open house for new Universal Sports Institute

Vicky Nguyen September 10, 2024

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District hosted an open house and parent information session at the Universal Sports Institute —...