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

SUN Bucks program aims to promote students’ access to healthy summer meals

Vicky Nguyen May 7, 2024

About five million children who receive free or reduced-price school meals will be automatically enrolled to receive SUN Bucks, a...

2024 OC Arts and Disability Festival aerial

WATCH: OC Arts and Disability spotlights students and adults’ artistic accomplishments

Vicky Nguyen May 6, 2024

Dozens of groups of students and adults with disabilities took center stage in front of their biggest supporters at the...

Weekly roundup: OC Register’s Artists of the Year named, OCDE announces 2025 Teachers of the Year finalists, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 3, 2024

From a pool of nearly 900 nominees, seven Orange County high school students have been named the Artists of the Year, recognized for their creativity, passion and dedication to their craft across seven artistic disciplines. Launched in 2014, the program,...

Mental Health Awareness Month: How OCDE is making mental health a year-round focus

Ian Hanigan May 3, 2024

Every year, the entire month of May is dedicated to raising mental health awareness. But efforts to address and support...

Golden West College professor Keisha Cosand is announced as a 2025 Orange County Teacher of the Year finalist on Thursday, May 2.

OCDE names the 2025 Orange County Teachers of the Year with surprise visits

Madeline Gray May 2, 2024

On Thursday morning, marching band musicians played a triumphant tune while the spirit squad cheered on Huntington Beach High School...

Kennedy High stands out as Anaheim Union district earns three Civic Learning Awards

Ian Hanigan May 2, 2024

Three schools in the Anaheim Union High School District have been recognized with 2024 Civic Learning Awards. Now in its 11th year, the awards program is sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia...

OC Pathways student ambassadors Mark Vickman and Finn Sapeta interview Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes at the Student AI Convening on Thursday, April 25.