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

From the desk of Ramon Miramontes, Ed.D.

Miramontes: Charting a course for the future of artificial intelligence in education

Ramon Miramontes August 28, 2023

In the Star Wars universe, whenever a spacecraft makes the jump to light speed, the stars outside the cockpit stretch...

Weekly roundup: Anaheim Elementary adds playgrounds with community support, Orange Unified appoints new superintendent, and more

Vicky Nguyen August 25, 2023

Community support for two bond measures led to the transformation of three playgrounds in the Anaheim Elementary School District. Jefferson,...

OCDE deputy superintendent issues statement on shooting at Cook’s Corner

Staff reports August 24, 2023

OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes issued the following statement on Thursday in response to the fatal shooting at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon. It was beyond devastating to learn of the tragic scene that unfolded last night at the...

Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School donation

#kindness1billion: Here are some of the acts of kindness shared in the 2022-23 school year

Vicky Nguyen August 23, 2023

Acts of kindness are taking place every day in our communities, offering a glimpse of hope and resilience. The Orange...

2019 Interpreters and Translators Conference

OCDE’s annual Interpreters and Translators Conference returns in September

Vicky Nguyen August 22, 2023

Language access advocates in the K-12 educational system will convene in Costa Mesa for the Orange County Department of Education’s...

Tropical Storm Hilary: All OC districts expected to resume their regular schedules on Tuesday

Ian Hanigan August 21, 2023

OCDE is tracking the latest developments related to Tropical Storm Hilary. Below is our running digest, with newer stories posted at the top. Updated at 4:19 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2023 All OC districts expected to resume their regular schedules...

Weekly roundup: Girls flag football season kicks off in OC, OCDE outdoor science program nears 50 years, and more

Madeline Gray August 18, 2023

Girls flag football games will commence this Friday at high schools throughout Orange County as part of the sport’s first...

Oxford Preparatory Academy students' plant trees on service day

OC Civic Learning Institute seeks to expand civic engagement among schools and students

Vicky Nguyen August 16, 2023

The Orange County Department of Education is inviting K-12 teachers and administrators who are interested in developing student voice and...

Students participate in an environmental education field trip with Inside the Outdoors.

Inside the Outdoors to celebrate nearly 50 years of promoting environmental literacy

Madeline Gray August 15, 2023

Since 1974, Inside the Outdoors has introduced elements of environmental education to Orange County classrooms and provided students with opportunities to explore nature firsthand. To commemorate almost half a century of the educational outdoor science program administered by the Orange...

Beckman High School alumna Sydney Deng at Tustin Toyota

Weekly roundup: Tustin grad with perfect attendance wins a new car, Santa Ana launches mental health resource, and more

Vicky Nguyen August 11, 2023

A recent graduate of Beckman High School who was named the winner of Tustin Toyota’s 2023 Drive for Student Engagement...