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

Goal-oriented: Annual Hope Cup Soccer Tournament champions inclusion

Ian Hanigan April 23, 2024

More than 600 students with special needs showcased their soccer skills and sportsmanship at the annual Hope Cup Soccer Tournament,...

Gilbert High’s sports program empowers at-promise students, boosting grades and attendance

Vicky Nguyen April 22, 2024

Gilbert High School is celebrating two years of its Sports Intervention Program, aimed at re-engaging at-promise 11th- and 12th-grade students....

San Juan Hills High School student Ryan Hickman is kicking off a five-week beach clean-up campaign starting April 20. (Courtesy of Ryan's Recycling Company)

Weekly roundup: Capistrano student plans to make waves with beach clean-up campaign, and more

Madeline Gray April 19, 2024

At just 14 years old, San Juan Hills High School student Ryan Hickman has dedicated much of his free time to recycling and collecting roughly 2 million bottles and cans from beaches, lakes and rivers with the help of volunteers....

OCDE invites teachers to the 2024 AP in the OC Summer Institute

Vicky Nguyen April 18, 2024

The 2024 AP in the OC Summer Institute, hosted by the Orange County Department of Education, is set to kick...

Huntington Beach Union High School District names Dr. Carolee Ogata as new superintendent

Ian Hanigan April 17, 2024

The Huntington Beach Union High School District has wrapped up its search for a new superintendent, with a familiar face...

Hope View Elementary School students perform their original song, "Stop and Think" in a video produced by OCDE's Media Services.

WATCH: Hope View fifth-graders unite against drugs through music

Madeline Gray April 17, 2024

Through a familiar tune and original lyrics, a class at Hope View Elementary School is spreading the message to “stop and think” before taking part in alcohol and drug use. OCDE’s Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Team recently led Ocean...

CalKIDS program aims to boost college savings for 3.6 million eligible students

Ian Hanigan April 17, 2024

The California Kids Investment and Development Savings program, or CalKIDS, was established in 2022 to help children from low-income families...

Educators, local businesses and students in the Central Orange County Career Technical Education Partnership celebrate the inaugural CTEp Partner Celebration in Costa Mesa. (Peter Phun / Orange Unified School District)

OCDE celebrates district partnerships through career education network

Madeline Gray April 15, 2024

Faculty, staff and local businesses throughout Central Orange County are collaborating to bring new career technical education courses to more...

From the desk of Ramon Miramontes, Ed.D.

Miramontes: OCDE harnesses AI’s potential while promoting responsible digital citizenship

Ramon Miramontes April 15, 2024

Once confined to science fiction, artificial intelligence has broken through to our reality, flashing its potential to transform industries and our society in ways never before imagined. And schools are no exception. AI isn’t just knocking on classroom doors anymore,...

Sunburst Youth Academy cadets proudly present the colors at the Anaheim Ducks' game against the Seattle Kraken on Friday, April 5.

Weekly roundup: Sunburst Youth Academy cadets shine bright at Anaheim Ducks game, and more

Vicky Nguyen April 12, 2024

Swapping their school hallways for the ice rink, four students from Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 33 color guard delivered a...