For Elias Garcia, success has always started at home. As the son of Mexican immigrants, he grew up in a family of six where hard work and determination were everyday values.“When I was 12 or 13, I would go to work with my dad,” Elias said. “He works at an auto body shop and has lots of tools, and I would always be playing and messing around with them.” That’s where his love for engineering really began.It was a freshman-year course at Santa Paula High School on the ...

The students graduating from Ventura County’s high schools in 2025 are entering a world full of uncertainty. Our nation’s political divisions seem to be at an all-time high, the economy is experiencing wild fluctuations, and the relentless march of artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market in ways we’re only beginning to understand. At the same time, our educational institutions from preschool to higher education are facing threats to their funding like never before.&...

Moving to a new school can be difficult for any student, but it was especially challenging for Rawan Abboud, who started her freshman year at a school on the other side of the world. Rawan had immigrated with her family to Ventura County from Syria, which had been engulfed in a brutal civil war for more than a decade. “Step by step, we adjusted, and my family stuck together to try to build a new life,” she said. As a new student at Buena High School in Ventura, who barely spoke Engli...

Defending Public Education in a Time of Uncertainty • Equity Conference Supports Expansion of Educational Opportunities • Students Honored at Mock Trial Awards • Civic Engagement is Topic of New Podcast • Student Civic Action Project Expo • Math Whizzes Compete at the Ventura County Mathlete Challenge • Science Fair Showcases Student Talent • VCOE Teacher of the Year - Dallas Ipach • Channel Islands HS Wins State Honor • Migrant Speech & Debate Tournament • Annual VCOE Prevention Conf...

More than 100 middle and high schoolers from throughout Ventura County marveled industry professionals last Thursday with their innovation and technical talent at the first annual Industry and Education: Student Project Showcase in Camarillo. The event brought together students, educators, and industry leaders to highlight the ingenuity of local youth and the importance of providing educational opportunities that can lead to local manufacturing c...

Dallas Ipach, who has dedicated his career to teaching students who face significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, has been named the 2025 Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Mr. Ipach will now have the opportunity to compete for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award, which is accepting nominations until May 2. Mr. Ipach found out he was being honored this morning during a surprise visit to VCOE’s Gateway Co...

Public education is facing an unprecedented challenge. As political rhetoric intensifies, the U.S. Department of Education has come under attack, with calls for its elimination shaking the foundation of our nation’s commitment to equitable learning opportunities. Yet, despite these challenges, the focus of Ventura County educators remains clear: ensuring the well-being and success of students.

The award winners of the 70th annual Ventura County Science Fair were announced at a ceremony this evening at the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) in Camarillo. Awards were presented in a variety of scientific categories, including microbiology, engineering, and chemistry. The winning entries were chosen by 100 local science, engineering, and education professionals who volunteered their time to serve as judges. The Science Fair was held on March 19 at the VCOE conference cent...

The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce that a Ventura County team won first place in the 2025 California Mock Trial Finals that were held over the weekend in Los Angeles. Trinity Pacific Christian School in Thousand Oaks was named the 2025 California Mock Trial Finals Champions after the competition that included schools from throughout the state. This is the second consecutive year that Trinity Pacific has taken first place at the state level. The school also ea...

Valley View Middle School in Simi Valley is the winner of the middle school division of the 2025 Ventura County Mock Trial competition after earning the highest score in the final round yesterday. Mesa Union School came in second place. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony yesterday at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo. Here’s how the top five teams placed:  Valley View Middle School Mesa Union Middle School Trinity Pacific Christian School Medea Creek Mi...