About OCDE

The Orange County Department of Education serves some of Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and nearly 420,000 students.

In addition to providing direct instruction to stu​dents through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment. 

OCDE’s work is organized around two complementary pillars: educational excellence, which encompasses programs and partnerships that directly support teaching and learning, and operational excellence, which provides the systems, services and infrastructure that allow that work to succeed. Together, these pillars provide the organizational foundation for advancing OCDE’s broader vision and strategic priorities.

That vision is for Orange County students to lead the nation in college and career readiness and success. The department’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan provides a clear roadmap for getting there, with five key initiatives, three core objectives for supporting schools and districts and one bold goal focused on improving outcomes for students directly served by OCDE. Together, these priorities help focus the department’s work and strengthen partnerships with educators, families, businesses and community organizations across Orange County.

Schools and Districts in Orange Couny