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OCDE's Inside the Outdoors program and OC Waste & Recycling accept the Excellence in Recycling Public Education award at the National Waste & Recycling Industry Conference January 21. (Courtesy of OC Waste & Recycling)

Weekly roundup: Inside the Outdoors earns national recognition for recycling education curriculum, and more

Madeline Gray January 30, 2026
Members of the Troy High School Science Olympiad team pose with their first-place trophy at the 2026 MIT Science Olympiad Invitational.

Troy High School Science Olympiad team takes first place at MIT Invitational

Ian Hanigan January 29, 2026
25th US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze will serve as keynote speaker at the 16th annual Creative Edge Lecture at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. (Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress)

US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze will take the stage at 16th Creative Edge Lecture

Madeline Gray January 29, 2026
A student-created display at McAuliffe Middle School shows handwritten reflections on paper stars and astronaut cutouts under the message, “The legacy I want to leave at McAuliffe is …”

Forty years after Challenger, McAuliffe Middle School reflects on a lasting legacy

Ian Hanigan January 28, 2026
Kay Nakauchi being recognized at December 2025 HBUHSD Board Meeting.

After 68 years of service, Kay Nakauchi retires from HBUHSD

Nathaniel Martinez January 28, 2026
Dr. Stefan Bean speaks on stage at the SBHIP Partners Appreciation Luncheon

Orange County partners celebrate progress in student mental health

Ian Hanigan September 24, 2025
Orange County education and health leaders gathered to celebrate local progress tied to a statewide initiative that has expanded student mental health services. Speakers pointed to new wellness spaces, added clinicians and stronger referral systems, while pledging to sustain and grow these supports.
Acaciawood Preparatory Academy students Lucas Menendez, left, and Poiema Bernier at school. The pair earned the $2,000 Outstanding Middle School Project Award in the 2025 Discovery Award competition.

Orange County students earn national award for documentary on housing desegregation

Vicky Nguyen September 23, 2025
Two Acaciawood Preparatory Academy students received the $2,000 Outstanding Middle School Project Award in the 2025 Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Discovery Award competition for their documentary on Doss v. Bernal, an early Orange County case that challenged housing segregation.
A red Fender Stratocaster guitar is pictured in the foreground as high school students sit at tables in a studio during the Fender Play songwriting workshop.

OC students find their voice at Fender Play workshop as countywide songwriting contest is unveiled

Ian Hanigan September 20, 2025
More than 30 students took part in Orange County’s first free Fender Play songwriting workshop on Saturday at OC Music & Dance in Irvine. The event also launched a new competition inviting local high schoolers to write original songs in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Fullerton School District students participate in a STEM Nation competition on district-issued iPads during the 2025 FSD Fest.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton School District earns Apple Distinction status for all campuses, report shows gains at community schools, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 19, 2025
The Fullerton School District has become the only district west of Texas to have all of its campuses recognized as...
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a medal and framed certificate on stage during CCPA’s June 2025 graduation ceremony

OCDE program offers adult learners a new pathway to a high school diploma — and it’s free

Ian Hanigan September 17, 2025
College and Career Preparatory Academy, OCDE's free charter school for students ages 16 to 25, has launched a new 155-credit graduation pathway for adult learners that maintains academic rigor while making diplomas more attainable.
The recommended reading lists for the STEAM reading challenge include picture books like "Cicada Symphony" by children's book author Sue Fliess.

Fourth STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge adds new partners ahead of launch

Madeline Gray September 16, 2025
Before kicking off on Oct. 3, the annual S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge has welcomed three new science-focused partner organizations to offer unique prizes, educational supports and new ways to inspire young readers.
Mobil phone displaying the Directory website

Check out the new digital OC Schools Directory

Ian Hanigan September 15, 2025
OCDE’s Communications and Media Services team has reimagined the Orange County Schools Directory as a continuously updated online resource. It's available at directory.ocde.us.
The new Estancia High School Performing Arts Center is unveiled to the public on Sept. 9. (Photos courtesy of Newport-Mesa Unified School District)

Weekly roundup: Estancia High debuts performing arts venue, National Merit Scholarship semifinalists named, and more

Madeline Gray September 12, 2025
Come November, Estancia High School drama students will bring Disney’s “Frozen” to life on the brand-new stage of the school’s...
Dr. Bob Pletka, superintendent of Fullerton School District, speaking at a podium during the district’s second Tiny Home Project ribbon-cutting ceremony

Fullerton School District’s ‘Dr. Bob’ to retire after more than a decade as superintendent

Ian Hanigan September 12, 2025
Fullerton School District Superintendent Dr. Bob Pletka has announced he will retire on Feb. 1, 2026, after more than 13 years leading the district. During his tenure, FSD expanded technology access, introduced new instructional programs and launched initiatives ranging from dual language immersion to student-built Tiny Homes.
Sunburst students get off the bus

Sunburst Youth Academy opens with its largest class yet

Nathaniel Martinez September 12, 2025
Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 36 is the largest in the program’s history — and the first in nearly a decade...
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