Orange County Schools
The fifth most populous county in the nation, Orange County, California is home to hundreds of thousands of students. Learning opportunities abound here, with top research facilities at Orange County colleges and universities, and award winning schools throughout Orange County's K-12 education system. Families planning to relocate to Orange County can rest assured that access to education is a top priority in this beautiful oceanside region.
Following is a guide to education in Orange County.
Orange County Public Schools
Schools throughout Orange County are overseen by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), which serves as a connecting agency for Orange County's 28 school districts, and provides a variety of county-operated education programs, including Outdoor Science, a Regional Occupational Program, Child Care Services, and Correctional Education. The OCDE also employs Orange County's superintendent of schools, William M. Habermehl. Links to all area school districts can be found on OCDE's Orange County California school district page.
Orange County Private Schools
A wide variety of private and semi-private schools are based in Orange County, offering access to faith-based education and accelerated curriculum studies. Private Schools in Orange County include Rancho Capistrano, Orange County Christian Academy, Mission Parish School, and Orange Lutheran High School Online. Fairmont Private Schools represents the area's largest non-sectarian private school community, with more than 2,200 students. In 1991, the United States Department of Education designated its highest award, a Blue Ribbon of Excellence, to Fairmont's Mable Junior High.
Orange County Post Secondary Education
Orange County is known for its excellent universities, including University of California, Irvine, University of Southern California - Orange County Center, California State University at Fullerton, and Chapman University. U of C, Irvine is known for its top medical research facilities, while Chapman has distinguished itself with top professional and liberal arts programs.
If you're looking for an area with an outstanding college or community college, Orange County, California offers several. The region is home to Coast Community College Districts, Fullerton College, Saddleback College, and many others, with technical programs ranging from Aviation to Fashion Design.