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

Q&A: Dr. Stefan Bean talks about overcoming adversity, his path to county superintendent and his vision for OC schools

Ian Hanigan July 22, 2024

Dr. Stefan Bean’s journey to becoming Orange County’s superintendent of schools reads like a movie script, a cinematic tale of...

Magnolia High School students sell fresh produce to community members at the MACC Farm Berry Festival on July 13. (Anaheim Union High School District)

Weekly roundup: Anaheim students cultivate community farm fest, Cypress High School graduate selected in MLB draft, and more

Madeline Gray July 19, 2024

On a 2.5-acre farm in Anaheim, students spent their Saturday teaching community members how to make strawberry jam with fresh...

WATCH: Educators converge in Anaheim for conference that aims to promote excellence for all learners

Ian Hanigan July 17, 2024

This week, the Anaheim Convention Center has become a hub for educational innovation, hosting more than 3,000 educators for the 7th annual California MTSS Professional Learning Institute. The three-day event was organized by the Orange County Department of Education in...

WATCH: OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy honors 141 graduates

Madeline Gray July 15, 2024

Since 2015, OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy has provided independent study options and personalized guidance for young adults looking...

Fullerton School District students learn how to build in one of the district's Encore programs.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton district targets learning loss with summer programs, student-led nonprofit offers free math tutoring, and more

Nathaniel Martinez July 12, 2024

This summer, Fullerton School District students are keeping mentally active through the district’s Encore Program. Spectrum News recently featured FSD...

Safe Schools Conference highlights year-round commitment to student safety

Ian Hanigan July 11, 2024

School safety doesn’t take summers off. That was evident on Wednesday as hundreds of professionals from the education and law enforcement communities convened in Orange County for day one of the 15th annual Safe Schools Conference. Hosted by former California...

OCDE’s ACCESS program sees attendance boost with Spyder Lab partnership

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2024

Teachers from the Orange County Department of Education’s Harbor Learning Center North and South campuses are facing a unique challenge:...

Parents talking to sports training providers.

Fullerton School District introduces dual-focused academic and athletic program

Nathaniel Martinez July 9, 2024

For Fullerton School District students grades six through eight, pursuing dreams of playing professional and collegiate sports will no longer...

"Fish" by Fullerton seventh-grader Andy Carranza will be on display alongside other student art in the Arts on the Move exhibit at the Bowers Museum this month.

Weekly roundup: OC student art exhibit returns to Bowers Museum, Los Alamitos fifth-grader premieres short film, and more

Madeline Gray July 5, 2024

Starting next week, the talents of student and adult artists will be on full display in the Arts on the Move exhibit at the Bowers Museum for the second consecutive year. OC Arts and Disability, a partnering organization of the...

WATCH: Dr. Stefan Bean sworn in as Orange County’s 12th superintendent of schools

Ian Hanigan July 3, 2024

Dr. Stefan Bean took the ceremonial oath of office at Wednesday’s Orange County Board of Education meeting, marking his formal...