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

WATCH: Westminster High rings in Lunar New Year with celebrity chef Jet Tila

Ian Hanigan February 15, 2024

On Feb. 8, Westminster High School in the Huntington Beach Union High School District hosted a vibrant Tết Festival to...

2024 Creative Edge Lecture Series distinguished guest Nina Simon (Photo credit: Crystal Birns)

Creative Edge Lecture series will spotlight best-selling author and exhibition designer

Madeline Gray February 15, 2024

Nina Simon, a best-selling author and former museum director, will grace the stage of the Irvine Barclay Theater on March...

47th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival

Orange County Arts and Disability Festival to celebrate artists and performers on April 27

Vicky Nguyen February 13, 2024

The 48th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival is set to make waves at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana on April 27, with the theme “Make a Splash” and featuring a new emcee. Hosted by the Orange County Department...

Vanguard University and OCDE uniting to host Ensure Justice 2024 human trafficking conference

Ian Hanigan February 12, 2024

Vanguard University and the Orange County Department of Education are once again collaborating to present a two-day hybrid conference on...

OC Academic Decathlon: It’s seven championships in eight years for Woodbridge High School

Ian Hanigan February 10, 2024

Woodbridge High School may need to invest in a larger trophy case. On Friday night, the Irvine campus’ academic decathlon...

Weekly roundup: OC schools ring in the Lunar New Year, high schoolers honored in Congressional app contest, and more

Madeline Gray February 9, 2024

With the Year of the Dragon beginning Saturday, Feb. 10, students and school staff throughout Orange County welcomed the holiday with special assemblies, games and performances in honor of Lunar New Year. KTLA reported that Roosevelt Elementary School transitional kindergartners...

The Cambodian Center in Santa Ana assisted OCDE in hosting several community engagement sessions where participants shared their hopes for the Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum.

OCDE invites community to attend engagement sessions for Southeast Asian Model Curriculum Project

Vicky Nguyen February 9, 2024

Initiated by state legislation, OCDE is currently immersed in an initiative to enhance students’ learning experiences through the development of the Southeast...

Gilbert High School civic engagement project cropped

Gilbert High School students champion civic engagement by securing bus schedule adjustment

Vicky Nguyen February 8, 2024

Students from Gilbert High School achieved a victory in one of their most recent civic engagement efforts in January. Through...

College and Career Ready segment Westminster High School

College and Career Ready: Westminster High trio develop AI-powered robotic service animal

Vicky Nguyen February 7, 2024

Three seniors from the Huntington Beach Union High School District paired ingenuity with limited resources to develop an artificial intelligence-powered robotic service animal, designed for people with visual disabilities. They are the subjects of our new video series, “College and...

Inside the Outdoors staff member with students

WATCH: Golden View Elementary celebrates civic engagement, farm stewardship at Environmental Showcase

Ian Hanigan February 6, 2024

Golden View Elementary School recently hosted its annual Environmental Showcase, offering families a unique opportunity to explore the campus, tour...