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

Weekly roundup: Anaheim opens districtwide food pantry, Inside the Outdoors program hosts Earth Day events, and more

Madeline Gray April 21, 2023

In an effort to further alleviate food insecurity in its community, the Anaheim Union High School District opened its first...

Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District

U.S. Department of Ed names Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary as ‘Green Ribbon School’

Vicky Nguyen April 21, 2023

Creating innovative ways to reduce environmental impacts and costs while offering effective sustainability educational programs earned Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary...

Orange County students excel at National History Day-California contest

Ian Hanigan April 20, 2023

Orange County students made a strong showing at this year’s National History Day-California contest, fueled by some impressive submissions from Irvine schools. In all, 18 local student projects emerged as elementary, junior or senior division champions at the statewide history...

OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors celebrates Earth Day with community events

Vicky Nguyen April 19, 2023

Every day is Earth Day for Inside the Outdoors, a program administered by the Orange County Department of Education. Annually...

Four Orange County teams will compete in worldwide robotics championship

Madeline Gray April 18, 2023

More than 620 student teams — including four from Orange County — are set to play in an action-packed worldwide...

Orange County Department of Education releases strategic vision for student thriving

Ian Hanigan April 17, 2023

In collaboration with families, educators and community partners, the Orange County Department of Education has introduced a strategic vision that describes how local communities can work together to ensure children are thriving in all aspects of their lives. “Empowering Students...