NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joined students at Thomas Edison Elementary to launch a new outdoor STEM partnership between his Skyhook Foundation and OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors. The celebration included 3,000 donated Adidas shoes and backpacks for Anaheim students.
County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean was named the 2025 Community Pillar of Influence for Education, joining four leaders recognized for strengthening Orange County. He was also recently honored by the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the California Association of Asian and Pasifika Leaders in Education.
Twelve Orange County educators and partners were recognized Wednesday for their innovation, leadership and commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
Nearly 5,300 Orange County high school students earned the State Seal of Civic Engagement during the 2024–25 school year, according to recently released data from the California Department of Education.
An independent foundation has launched to help expand educational opportunities for students across the county. The Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation will be led by David Blair, who brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience.
OCDE and the Butte County Office of Education are partnering through California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support framework to help Los Angeles County schools recover from the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Orange County high school students can submit original songs for the USA 250-OC Theme Song Competition, with top entries earning $500 cash prizes. Supported by Fender, Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine, winning songs will be performed at a countywide July 4, 2026 celebration.