OCDE Newsroom

Mariachi members prepare to welcome students and staff on the first day of school at Thomas Edison Elementary in Anaheim. Pictured from left are student Kiara Ramon, music teacher Grace Kwon, student Rita Polo, student Lupe Estrada, student Victoria Limones and music teacher Christina Flynn.

Weekly roundup: Anaheim Union launches mariachi music program at junior high campus, and more

Madeline Gray July 17, 2026

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

Astro26 Ryan's Rangers from Westminster High School's MERITS program

Weekly roundup: Westminster High students soar with NASA TechRise Challenge, local pentathlon teams bring 64 medals home, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 31, 2024

Students from Westminster High School’s MERITS program are diving headfirst into the NASA TechRise Student Challenge. This spring, these scholars...

Six OC library branches will offer free summer meals to kids

Ian Hanigan May 29, 2024

Did you know that children can receive free summer meals at six OC Public Library branches? Starting in June, select...

Fairmont Private Schools’ Historic Anaheim Campus eighth-graders

Four Orange County teams shine at the 2024 U.S. Academic Pentathlon

Vicky Nguyen May 29, 2024

Four teams of seventh- and eighth-grade students from Orange County participated with more than 700 other young scholars from across the nation in the 2024 United States Academic Pentathlon competition, held May 16 through May 18 in Phoenix, Arizona. The...

Ruby is recognized by the Orange County Board of Education for her winning essay in the 10th annual Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest.

OCDE students honor heroes through annual Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest

Vicky Nguyen May 27, 2024

From stories about his father’s experience in Operation Desert Storm to his great-grandfather who parachuted onto the beaches of Normandy,...

The Fullerton School District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Nicolas Junior High School to unveil the first 192-square-foot structure in its tiny home project on Tuesday, May 21.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton School District class builds tiny home for unhoused peers, Westminster student heads to Scripps National Spelling Bee, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 24, 2024

Eighth-grade students from Nicolas Junior High School in the Fullerton School District are one step closer to changing the lives...

WATCH: OC Board of Education interviews candidates for county superintendent of schools

Ian Hanigan May 23, 2024

The Orange County Board of Education interviewed candidates seeking to be appointed as county superintendent during a special session on Wednesday. The meeting began at 3:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Orange County Department of Education and streamed...

Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership Chapter Recognition Ceremony

Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership celebrates schools and advisor for youth development efforts

Ian Hanigan May 23, 2024

The Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership celebrated three schools and one advisor Tuesday at its annual Chapter Recognition Ceremony...

Here’s what to expect at the seventh annual California MTSS Professional Learning Institute

Ian Hanigan May 22, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education and the Butte County Office of Education are once again teaming up to host...

OCDE PAL team honors six campuses, two advisors for building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 21, 2024

Six school-based Peer Assistance Leadership programs and two advisors received surprise visits from representatives of the Orange County Department of Education in May for promoting school environments that are caring, safe and supportive for all. Administered by the department, PAL...

Title with star Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

WATCH: Get to know these nine standout staff members during Classified School Employee Week

Ian Hanigan May 20, 2024

It’s officially Classified School Employee Week, a time for school districts throughout the county to celebrate the vital contributions of,...