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

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

WATCH: Artificial intelligence convening led by OCDE amplifies student voices

Madeline Gray May 1, 2024

Orange County high schoolers hosted a first-of-its-kind event on Thursday, April 25 to broaden their peers’ knowledge about the artificial...

Garden Grove Unified cook named one of California’s Classified School Employees of the Year

Vicky Nguyen May 1, 2024

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the 2024 California Classified School Employees of the Year — a group...

OC Board of Education begins search for next county superintendent

Ian Hanigan May 1, 2024

The Orange County Board of Education is gearing up to appoint a new county superintendent of schools following the news of Dr. Al Mijares’ retirement. Citing health issues, Mijares announced last week that he will step down from the role...

Trabuco Elementary leads the way as OC schools pick up 2024 Green Ribbon Awards

Ian Hanigan April 29, 2024

Surrounded by the heavily wooded O’Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Elementary School is well positioned to integrate the natural world into...

Orange County high schools rank among nation’s best in latest U.S. News list

Ian Hanigan April 29, 2024

Sure, school rankings aren’t the sole measure of academic success. But it’s noteworthy that dozens of campuses throughout Orange County...

Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares

County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares to step down in June, citing health issues

Ian Hanigan April 26, 2024

Dr. Al Mijares, who has led the Orange County Department of Education for over a decade as the county’s 11th superintendent of schools, has announced that he plans to retire at the end of June. In collaboration with district superintendents...

Student Brandy Figueroa, from the Santa Ana Unified School District, received acceptance letters from 15 universities.

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana student earns 15 college acceptances, OCDE supports civic education efforts, and more

Vicky Nguyen April 26, 2024

A Segerstrom High School senior, 17-year-old Brandy Figueroa, is on track to graduate with a 4.74 GPA and has received...

Mahima & Meghana Wuppalapati with NHD-OC Coordinator Julie Hull

OC dominates at National History Day-California with 24 championship projects

Ian Hanigan April 25, 2024

Orange County students once again demonstrated keen historical analysis while showcasing their creativity at this year’s National History Day-California competition,...

NAMM Foundation awards schools for orchestrating student success through music education

Jennifer Nguyen April 25, 2024

The NAMM Foundation is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Best Communities for Music Education Awards by honoring more than 1,000 districts and individual school sites that continue to embrace and support music education. Eight Orange County districts were recognized...

WATCH: Bolsa Grande High drives civic learning with OCDE’s support

Vicky Nguyen April 24, 2024

Students at Bolsa Grande High School are leading the charge in civic engagement, supported by the Orange County Department of...