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

Representatives from Carpenter Training Partners connect with students and educators at the OC Pathways Showcase on Dec. 7, 2023.

Youth Apprenticeship Week: OC Pathways enhances on-the-job training for local students

Madeline Gray May 10, 2024

Wrapping up Youth Apprenticeship Week, OC Pathways has celebrated the importance of on-the-job training and in-demand skills, expanding supports for...

OC teacher a state finalist in Presidential Awards program for math and science instruction

Ian Hanigan May 9, 2024

A photograph showing a field of sunflowers in Suzanne Huerta’s classroom prompted one student to ponder over how many seeds...

School nurse checking temperature of student patient.

On National School Nurse Day, here are 4 things you might not know about school nurses

Ian Hanigan May 8, 2024

Each year, National Nurses Week is recognized from May 6 through May 12, which, not coincidentally, is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. And the Wednesday within that week is annually celebrated as National School Nurse Day to honor the contributions...

Four middle school teams advance to the United States Academic Pentathlon

Vicky Nguyen May 8, 2024

Four local middle school teams are gearing up to represent the region at the upcoming United States Academic Pentathlon competition...

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 48th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana on Saturday, April 27. Continuing its...

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...

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 teacher Rosanna Harshman as she was announced as a 2025 Orange County Teacher of the Year. Six local educators, including...

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...