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OCDE Prevention Education Coordinator Stephan Lambert speaks with an attendee during the department’s Thrive Resource Fair on Sept. 25, 2025, at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

Weekly roundup: OCDE staff featured in Educational Leadership article on student digital wellness, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 11, 2026
Person viewing OCDE’s redesigned website on a laptop and smartphone, showing the site’s responsive layout across desktop and mobile devices.

OCDE launches redesigned website with fresh look and improved user experience

Ian Hanigan September 10, 2026
Los Alamitos High School students work behind the microphones during the school’s first student-produced live varsity football broadcast on Sept. 4.

Los Alamitos High students take the controls for first live sports broadcast

Vicky Nguyen September 10, 2026
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School students in the Santa Ana Unified School District earn special certificates and prizes for completing the 2025 STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge. (Courtesy of Mendez Intermediate)

Blue Origin astronaut to help launch fifth STEAM Reading Challenge

Madeline Gray September 9, 2026
Attendees make their way to sessions during OCDE’s AI Forward Summit on Aug. 3 at the department’s Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE Connected Leadership Conference to bring district professionals together Oct. 20

Vicky Nguyen September 9, 2026
Tustin Memorial Academy students Vivienne, Cora, Miles, Maddie and Delnia win first place and the community-focused award from the Municipal Water District of OC for their dynamic prototype called "The Cat Robot."

PHOTOS: Orange County student makers celebrated for creating problem-solving innovations

Madeline Gray June 16, 2026
More than 460 Orange County student innovators submitted 206 prototypes designed to address real-world challenges as part of the annual ocMaker Challenge. Thirty-seven teams from 20 schools earned first- through third-place awards and 16 special awards presented before an audience of more than 300 attendees.
“A Moment in the Sun,” created by Juni Lee, a 12th-grade student at Sunny Hills High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.

93rd Festival of Arts to showcase more than 330 pieces by Orange County students

Vicky Nguyen June 16, 2026
More than 330 student-created artworks and film projects representing schools across Orange County will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.
Participants sit at round tables during the State of the Student Forum at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa while listening to a panel discussion and presentation about student outcomes and community partnerships.

State of the Student Forum sparks conversation about supporting OC learners

Ian Hanigan June 15, 2026
The second annual State of the Student Forum brought together education and community leaders from across Orange County to explore findings from the latest State of the Student report, examining trends in student achievement, well-being and school climate and discussing how those insights can help support students and families.
Painters from Warner Middle School and Westminster High School pose for a photo while working on a mural depicting the ecosystems of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.

Weekly roundup: Westminster students create mural inspired by Bolsa Chica Wetlands, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 12, 2026
Bright colors, marine life and local history came together this spring as students from Warner Middle School and Westminster High School collaborated on a mural inspired by the ecosystems of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.
OCDE signage

The bell behind the brand

Nathaniel Martinez June 10, 2026
Quick look: Learn more about how the OCDE logo nods to a foundational piece of California’s history: The El Camino...
Ella Wu accepts a guitar prize from Fender Education representatives during the USA 250-OC Theme Song Competition awards ceremony.

WATCH: Original student compositions take center stage in USA 250-OC songwriting showcase

Ian Hanigan June 10, 2026
Quick look: Orange County students performed original songs inspired by America’s upcoming 250th anniversary during a June 6 showcase and awards ceremony at OCDE. Ella Wu of JSerra Catholic High School earned the grand prize and an invitation to perform at...
Students from McGarvin Intermediate School pose with medals and trophies during an awards ceremony at the 2026 United States Academic Pentathlon National Finals in Nashville, Tennessee.

Orange County teams earn national honors at U.S. Academic Pentathlon finals

Vicky Nguyen June 10, 2026
Four teams representing Orange County schools earned top placements at the 2026 United States Academic Pentathlon National Finals in Nashville, Tennessee, including a national championship for McGarvin Intermediate School’s seventh-grade team.
Members of the Class of 2026 from Brea Olinda High School pose for a photo after receiving their diplomas.

Celebrating the Class of 2026: Graduation moments from across Orange County

Vicky Nguyen June 9, 2026
Graduation season is underway across Orange County. The OCDE Newsroom has compiled a collection of commencement photos and social media posts from schools and districts throughout the county.
Isaiah Medina's performance in Tesoro High School's rendition of “Footloose” earned him Best Actor for the second year in a row at the 2026 Spirit of the MACY Awards at the Cerritos Center for Performing Arts. (Photo courtesy of Tesoro High School)

OC students and theater programs earn top honors at 2026 Spirit of the MACY Awards

Nathaniel Martinez June 8, 2026
Quick look: The Spirit of the MACY Awards took place on May 23, honoring the top high school theater actors and productions throughout Southern California. Orange County students and schools took home many of the highest awards. What’s better than...

Weekly roundup: Eleven OC seniors earn college-sponsored scholarships through national merit program, and more

Madeline Gray June 5, 2026
Eleven Orange County seniors have earned a place among the nation’s top scholars after being named 2026 National Merit Scholarship...
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