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.

Groundbreaking marks the return to Rancho Soñado for OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors

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

High School Voter Education Weeks to empower young voices

Vicky Nguyen September 9, 2024

High School Voter Education Weeks will take place from Sept. 16 through Sept. 27 across the state to promote civic...

La Habra City School District 2024-25 school year

Weekly roundup: La Habra City School District launches ‘Show Up, Shine Bright’ campaign, OC football teams adjust to heat wave, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 6, 2024

The La Habra City School District is kicking off the 2024-25 school year with a renewed focus on student attendance...

Fullerton Union High School teacher Alexandra Walker and her family with Maasai Mara school-aged children in Kenya, where they donated 400 menstrual pads to support education and address period poverty. (Courtesy of Alexandra Walker)

Fullerton Union students tackle menstrual stigma and poverty locally and globally through Period Club

Vicky Nguyen September 5, 2024

From Fullerton Joint Union High School District to the Maasai Mara tribe in Kenya, the student-led Period Club at Fullerton Union High School is addressing menstrual stigma and period poverty. As a local chapter of the global nonprofit Period, Inc.,...

County superintendent appoints Dennis Cole as OCDE’s new chief of staff

Ian Hanigan September 4, 2024

Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean announced Wednesday the appointment of Dennis Cole as his new chief of staff. Cole,...

Inside the Outdoors to host Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay

Vicky Nguyen September 3, 2024

Inside the Outdoors, in partnership with OC Parks, invites volunteers to join the 2024 California Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper...

Fullerton School District students are recognized by the district board of trustees for their national speech and debate title on Aug. 20. (Courtesy of Fullerton School District)

Weekly roundup: Fullerton students earn national speech and debate title, Girl Scouts donate book vending machine to Newport Elementary, and more

Madeline Gray August 30, 2024

A team of 20 Fullerton School District students clinched a champion title for the fifth consecutive year at this summer’s National Speech and Debate Tournament. Representing Parks Junior High along with the district’s four remaining junior high campuses, the sixth-...

Huntington Beach Union High School District administrators Stacy Robison and Amy Sabol earn arts administrator awards at the Orange County Music and Arts Administrator Awards on Feb. 27 at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts.

OCDE seeks nominations for 2024-25 Orange County Music and Arts Administrators Awards

Vicky Nguyen August 29, 2024

Music and arts educators play a vital role in inspiring creativity and enriching students’ educational experiences. Through their leadership and...

CCPA opens doors to new opportunities for young adults in need of a diploma

Ian Hanigan August 28, 2024

“Life is about where you want to go and what you do to get there.” That quote from a former...

Children's book author Vicky Fang presents her book, "AlphaBot" for students ahead of the STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge.

STEAM reading challenge for students prepares to launch this fall

Madeline Gray August 28, 2024

In November, Orange County students from transitional kindergarten to 12th grade will be invited to take their love of books to astronomical heights by participating in the STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge. Coinciding with National STEAM Day, the third...

Monroe Elementary Language Academy first day of school

2024-25 school year: Here’s a roundup of back-to-school posts from social media

Vicky Nguyen August 28, 2024

From festive balloon arches to red carpet arrivals, school districts across Orange County are rolling out the welcome mat for...