OCDE Newsroom

Mariachi members prepare to welcome students and staff on the first day of school at Thomas Edison Elementary in Anaheim. Pictured from left are student Kiara Ramon, music teacher Grace Kwon, student Rita Polo, student Lupe Estrada, student Victoria Limones and music teacher Christina Flynn.

Weekly roundup: Anaheim Union launches mariachi music program at junior high campus, and more

Madeline Gray July 17, 2026

Sam Darnold posing with his retired jersey alongside Head Coach Jaime Ortiz at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente.

San Clemente High School alumnus Sam Darnold has jersey retired and is inducted into school’s Hall of Fame

Nathaniel Martinez July 16, 2026

Recipients of the 2025 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards gather for a group photo following last year's awards celebration at the Orange County Department of Education Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE announces 2026 Outstanding STEM Educators

Vicky Nguyen July 15, 2026

Natalia Abarca, coordinator of OCDE’s Language Services unit, welcomes guests to the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Conference.

Language access professionals to celebrate 10 years of growth at OCDE conference

Vicky Nguyen July 14, 2026

Students in the inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant cohort celebrate completing the tuition-free program offered through a partnership between Orange Unified School District and Santiago Canyon College. Participants completed coursework and hands-on clinical training while still enrolled in high school.

Weekly roundup: Orange Unified, Santiago Canyon College celebrates first certified nursing assistant cohort, and more

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2026

Los Angeles Angels name eight Orange County students AVID scholars

Madeline Gray June 5, 2023

Eight Orange County middle school students recently earned the title of Angels 8th grade AVID Scholars by the Angels Baseball...

Weekly roundup: Green Ribbon school welcomes state superintendent, OC student competes for spelling bee title, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 2, 2023

Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary staff along with Saddleback Valley Unified School District leaders welcomed State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and his...

2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee Aaron Lim

Orange County student competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee

Vicky Nguyen June 1, 2023

With hundreds of guests in attendance and broadcast cameras recording for millions of viewers across the country, 14-year-old student Aaron Lim represented Orange County in National Harbor, Maryland as he competed in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday....

GGUSD Monroe Elementary International Day

Garden Grove Unified spotlights students and staff during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Vicky Nguyen May 31, 2023

The Garden Grove Unified School District is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by recognizing its own staff...

Food pantry started by OCDE’s ACCESS program celebrates one year of serving students, families

Ian Hanigan May 29, 2023

During the pandemic, schools administered by OCDE’s Alternative Education division — also known as ACCESS — began hosting drive-through food...

Weekly roundup: Garden Grove hosts 52nd Special Games for students, OCDE celebrates Classified School Employee Week, and more

Madeline Gray May 26, 2023

With National Physical Fitness and Sports Month coming to a close, more than 800 Garden Grove Unified students with special needs celebrated by competing in relays, volleyball matches, softball tosses and more at the district’s 52nd Special Games on May...