School closures, new programs highlight Orange County schoolsā year: āWe are going to have to make adjustmentsā
Read full article: School closures, new programs highlight Orange County schoolsā year: āWe are going to have to make adjustmentsāOrange County Public Schools leaders on Tuesday reflected on a year marked by school closures, staffing reductions and financial challenges, while warning that additional budget decisions could be necessary as student enrollment continues to decline.
Orange County Public Schools student data safe after Canvas cyberattack, district says
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools student data safe after Canvas cyberattack, district saysOCPS is among several local districts that use Canvas. Instructure has since confirmed that no data from the district was leaked in the breach.
Orange Countyās young math wizards compete in 2026 Math Bee
Read full article: Orange Countyās young math wizards compete in 2026 Math BeeIf a recipe calls for 3 1/4 quarts of milk, how many cups of milk is that? If you could answer this question correctly, you could have taken home the big trophy in the 2026 Orange County Public Schools Math Bee Invitational on Thursday.
How should Orange Countyās schools allow AI usage? Board discussing updated policy
Read full article: How should Orange Countyās schools allow AI usage? Board discussing updated policyHow should Orange Countyās schools allow AI usage? The school board discussing that issue today, with the hopes of having a policy in place before the next school year. The proposal bans OpenAI programs and chatbots for emotional support, and but allows it for instruction in specific cases.
Orange County schools suffer ācybersecurity incident.ā Hereās what was hacked
Read full article: Orange County schools suffer ācybersecurity incident.ā Hereās what was hackedFor those who use Canvas, district officials said that some personal information may have been accessed in the data breach.
āWhere am I supposed to park?ā Neighbors push back on Orange County high school plan
Read full article: āWhere am I supposed to park?ā Neighbors push back on Orange County high school planOpposition is growing in an Orlando neighborhood as residents push back against a proposal to open a new high school near Lake Cherokee, citing concerns over traffic, parking and safety ahead of a public meeting Monday evening.
Habitat for Humanity partners with OCPS for staff homes
Read full article: Habitat for Humanity partners with OCPS for staff homesWinter Park city commissioners are considering an ordinance that would allow single-family homes to be built on school district property at 901 W. Webster Ave., previously occupied by Orange Technical College.
Orange County schools cut over 200 positions as enrollment declines
Read full article: Orange County schools cut over 200 positions as enrollment declinesMore than 200 positions are being eliminated at Orange County Public Schools as part of a districtwide effort to reduce spending amid declining enrollment and funding challenges.
Who gets a bus after OCPS school closures? District clarifies transportation plan
Read full article: Who gets a bus after OCPS school closures? District clarifies transportation planAs Orange County Public Schools moves forward with plans to close seven schools, some families say they are facing uncertainty over how their children will get to class.
āWe are in a crisis:ā Budget cuts in Orange County schools eliminate student support roles, sparking backlash
Read full article: āWe are in a crisis:ā Budget cuts in Orange County schools eliminate student support roles, sparking backlashA decision to eliminate a group of school-based support staff who help students in crisis is drawing concern from parents, students and educators in one of Floridaās largest school districts.
Parents upset as Orange County schoolās track is dug up days before seasonās start
Read full article: Parents upset as Orange County schoolās track is dug up days before seasonās startJust days before the start of track season, parents at Legacy Middle School reached out to News 6, mentioning they were concerned after the schoolās track was suddenly torn up for construction. We took those concerns to the Orange County School District.
Why is Orange Countyās student enrollment falling? Depends on who you ask
Read full article: Why is Orange Countyās student enrollment falling? Depends on who you askThe Orange County school board is holding public hearings Tuesday night for closure plans for seven public schools. How did we get here? It depends on who you ask.
Orange County votes to close 7 schools after public hearing
Read full article: Orange County votes to close 7 schools after public hearingThe Orange County school board is holding public hearings tonight for closure plans for seven public schools, and itās the last time parents and the community can plead to keep the schools open.
Osceola school district considers hiring consultant to get students to re-enroll from homeschools, private schools
Read full article: Osceola school district considers hiring consultant to get students to re-enroll from homeschools, private schoolsOsceola County School District is considering hiring a third-party consultant to persuade families to return students to district schools, a step that could cost $935 for each student who re-enrolls.
Osceola County schools considering student recruitment contract amid enrollment drop
Read full article: Osceola County schools considering student recruitment contract amid enrollment dropOver recent years, Florida public schools have seen falling enrollment amid declining birth rates and expansion of the stateās school voucher program.
Florida school districts warn of consequences as ICE protest walkouts spread
Read full article: Florida school districts warn of consequences as ICE protest walkouts spreadWalkout protests over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity have spread to high schools across Central Florida, prompting warnings from state and local school officials that students who leave class during instructional time could face disciplinary consequences.
Orlando officerās rifle accidentally went off during search of Lake Nona Middle School, police say
Read full article: Orlando officerās rifle accidentally went off during search of Lake Nona Middle School, police sayA "prank" near Lake Nona Middle School sparked a heavy response by law enforcement on Wednesday evening, according to the Orlando Police Department.
School closure plan reviewed as Orange County responds to falling enrollment
Read full article: School closure plan reviewed as Orange County responds to falling enrollmentA workshop in Orange County on Tuesday discussed a plan to potentially consolidate seven public schools to deal with falling enrollment.ng enrollment.
Orange County school board to address e-bike safety in workshop
Read full article: Orange County school board to address e-bike safety in workshopOrange County Public Schools has received reports of unsafe incidents involving e-bikes and scooters. These concerns have prompted discussions on how to protect students and others nearby.
āInbred s***hole:ā Winter Park football coach investigated for profanity-laced message
Read full article: āInbred s***hole:ā Winter Park football coach investigated for profanity-laced messageAccording to a report, the text began with strategy aimed at Timber Creekās defense, but quickly shifted to a profane rant about the opposing school and its community.
Summerlake Elementary School closed Monday as district recovers from extreme cold
Read full article: Summerlake Elementary School closed Monday as district recovers from extreme coldOrange County Public Schools said Sunday that all district schools will open Monday except for Summerlake Elementary School after the campus suffered facility issues caused by recent extreme cold.
Domestic shooting suspect found dead near Keeneās Crossing Elementary in Windermere
Read full article: Domestic shooting suspect found dead near Keeneās Crossing Elementary in WindermereIn a statement to News 6, the school district said there is police activity in the area and parents were notified.
More Orange County school closures might be unavoidable, superintendent says
Read full article: More Orange County school closures might be unavoidable, superintendent saysThe district is preparing to decide whether to close seven Orange County schools because of low enrollment. A workshop will discuss community meetings and review survey results from families.
Orange County Public Schools community meetings on potential closures continue
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools community meetings on potential closures continueOrange County Public Schools are operating under capacity due to a decline in birth rates, an aging population, and increased school choice, which have drastically lowered enrollment numbers and impacted the district financially.
Parents voice concerns at Orange County meeting over possible school closures
Read full article: Parents voice concerns at Orange County meeting over possible school closuresEmotions ran high during a crowded Orange County community meeting Tuesday night as parents and residents questioned district leaders about the possible closure of their childrenās schools.
Balancing growth and history: Whatās next for the Hungerford property after sale
Read full article: Balancing growth and history: Whatās next for the Hungerford property after saleOne day after Orange County Public Schools approved the sale of the historic Hungerford property to Dr. Phillips Charities, the Town of Eatonville is preparing to take its next step forward after a long-running debate over the future of the land.
Here are the school graduation rates for your Central Florida district
Read full article: Here are the school graduation rates for your Central Florida districtStatewide, the Florida high school graduation rate is at 92.2%, up from 89.7% the previous year. Central Florida's school districts are also touting improved rates.
Orange County School Board to vote on sale of historic Hungerford property
Read full article: Orange County School Board to vote on sale of historic Hungerford propertyAfter years of debate, the Orange County School Board on Tuesday is set to give the final signoff on the sale of the historic Hungerford property.
State audit urges Orange County Schools to log school resource officer attendance
Read full article: State audit urges Orange County Schools to log school resource officer attendanceA state audit is recommending that Orange County Public Schools maintain attendance records to demonstrate that at least one school resource officer is presentĀ at each school every day.
āPotential useā plans unveiled for 7 Orange County schools up for closure
Read full article: āPotential useā plans unveiled for 7 Orange County schools up for closureBonneville, Chickasaw, Eccleston, McCoy, Meadow Woods, and Orlo Vista elementary schools, and Union Park Middle School in Orange County could all potentially close. An email obtained by News 6 explains what could happen to the schools after.
āDonāt destroy that:ā Parents sound off as Orange County plans to close several public schools
Read full article: āDonāt destroy that:ā Parents sound off as Orange County plans to close several public schoolsSeveral parents are now speaking out after Orange County Public Schools announced it is moving forward with a plan that could lead to the closure of seven schools, including McCoy Elementary.
Orange County school board to discuss possible closures amid parent opposition
Read full article: Orange County school board to discuss possible closures amid parent oppositionOrange County school board members will hold a special meeting on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to discuss the possible closure of several schools as the district grapples with declining enrollment.
Second Harvest food drives throughout Orange County help cover families over holiday break
Read full article: Second Harvest food drives throughout Orange County help cover families over holiday breakAs winter break approaches, many Orange County families are facing a familiar concern: how to put food on the table when school meals stop.
Orange County Public Schools to revisit controversial plan to pay recruiter for returning students
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools to revisit controversial plan to pay recruiter for returning studentsAs the Orange County School Board prepares to vote, members express skepticism about a costly recruitment strategy aimed at reversing enrollment declines.
After Hungerford controversy, Eatonville council seeks to clarify what mayor can, cannot do
Read full article: After Hungerford controversy, Eatonville council seeks to clarify what mayor can, cannot doOn Tuesday night, the Eatonville council will vote on a resolution to clarify the mayorās executive powers and reaffirm that council approval is required for certain actions. The resolution comes after the mayorās involvement with the transfer of the Hungerford property from Orange County Public Schools to Dr. Phillips Charities in late September.
Teen accused of fatally shooting classmate after ābump in the hallwayā to stay in jail
Read full article: Teen accused of fatally shooting classmate after ābump in the hallwayā to stay in jailA teenager accused in a deadly shooting of a classmate near Oak Ridge High School will remain in jail while awaiting trial.
Judge delays Orange County hearing in teen shooting death of classmate sparked by ābump in the hallwayā
Read full article: Judge delays Orange County hearing in teen shooting death of classmate sparked by ābump in the hallwayāA judge is delaying a pre-trial detention hearing for a teenager accused in a deadly shooting of a classmate near Oak Ridge High School.
Substitute teacher arrested for lewd acts in Orlando middle school classroom, police say
Read full article: Substitute teacher arrested for lewd acts in Orlando middle school classroom, police sayAccording to an arrest affidavit, students at Howard Middle School said the substitute teacher was aroused, touching himself, and viewing nude photos on his phone while supervising the class.
WATCH LIVE: Eatonville discusses next steps after Hungerford land deal with Dr. Phillips Foundation
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Eatonville discusses next steps after Hungerford land deal with Dr. Phillips FoundationEatonville residents gathered Friday night to discuss the future of the historic Hungerford property and review the townās updated master plan. The meeting focused on this weekās land purchase agreement between Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) and the Dr. Phillips Foundation.
Eatonville Town Council pushes back against Hungerford land sale before OCPS vote
Read full article: Eatonville Town Council pushes back against Hungerford land sale before OCPS voteAs Orange County Public Schools prepares to sell more than 100 acres of land in Eatonville to Dr. Phillips Charities, the town council is scheduled to meet and discuss the plan.
Orange County high school promoted āwitchcraft rituals,ā legal group claims
Read full article: Orange County high school promoted āwitchcraft rituals,ā legal group claimsThis week, a legal group announced that it sent a demand letter to Orange County Public Schools over a āWitchy Wednesdayā video series at a local high school.
Kidsā Closet helps Orange Countyās homeless students find their fit for school
Read full article: Kidsā Closet helps Orange Countyās homeless students find their fit for schoolA portable on an Orange County Public Schools administrative campus along John Young Parkway may look unassuming, but inside are shelves of donations for some of the countyās most needy students.
Orange schools face $25M shortfall after enrollment drops nearly 7K students
Read full article: Orange schools face $25M shortfall after enrollment drops nearly 7K studentsDistrict leaders had projected a loss of about 3,000 students, but the school board has been informed the actual decline is more than double that.
LGBTQ+ History Month stays on Orange School Board calendar despite push to remove it
Read full article: LGBTQ+ History Month stays on Orange School Board calendar despite push to remove itLGBTQ+ History and Awareness Month will remain on the Orange County Public School Board calendar after the school board voted down a proposal to remove it this week.
Thereās a forsaken military lab hiding in Orlando. Hereās what happened to it
Read full article: Thereās a forsaken military lab hiding in Orlando. Hereās what happened to itDrivers heading past Lake Gem Mary along Gatlin Avenue may be familiar with an old sealed-off building stashed away on the lakeside.
Orange County superintendent talks enrollment, safety, bus drivers and more in back-to-school remarks
Read full article: Orange County superintendent talks enrollment, safety, bus drivers and more in back-to-school remarksOrange Countyās superintendent joined school-board members, law-enforcement leaders and more for a back-to-school news conference at Dr. Phillips High School.
Orange County Public Schools prepares for 1st day of classes amid bus driver shortage
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools prepares for 1st day of classes amid bus driver shortageOrange County Public Schools is gearing up for the first day of class amid a continuing shortage of bus drivers.
Florida school tackles chronic absenteeism with unconventional model ā and itās working
Read full article: Florida school tackles chronic absenteeism with unconventional model ā and itās workingSheeler High School is a small, public charter school in Apopka thatās rewriting the script and giving students a second chance.
8,828 students. No permanent home. Orange Countyās struggle to keep homeless kids in school
Read full article: 8,828 students. No permanent home. Orange Countyās struggle to keep homeless kids in schoolData obtained by News 6 from Orange County Public Schools shows the district identified 8,828 homeless students last year, up over 50% since the 2019 school year. What that means for families and for the district.
Maitland camp counselor faces 2nd molestation charge
Read full article: Maitland camp counselor faces 2nd molestation chargeA Maitland camp counselor accused of molesting a child is now facing a second criminal charge, and his public defender has withdrawn from the case citing a conflict of interest.
Students plan rally for advanced class funding as Florida finalizes budget
Read full article: Students plan rally for advanced class funding as Florida finalizes budgetA group of Orange County high school students will protest Tuesday afternoon against proposed changes to advanced academic programs, a move they say could impact their access to college-level coursework.
550 OCPS students are homeless in Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, Windermere
Read full article: 550 OCPS students are homeless in Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, WindermereOrange County currently leads the state in student homelessness, according to the school district. Our partner, Vox Populi, looked at how schools help homeless students in west Orange County.
Orange County Public Schools to pause new construction amid enrollment decline
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools to pause new construction amid enrollment declineAfter a decade marked by rapid expansion, Orange County Public Schools is hitting the brakes on building new campuses, a move driven by a notable dip in student enrollment projections.
Elementary school employee accused of tampering with evidence in Osceola County homicide, deputies say
Read full article: Elementary school employee accused of tampering with evidence in Osceola County homicide, deputies sayJessica Rivera was taken into custody at Whispering Oak Elementary School in Winter Garden on charges of tampering with evidence during a capital felony proceeding.
Hundreds of Orange County teachers told their contracts wonāt be renewed. Hereās why
Read full article: Hundreds of Orange County teachers told their contracts wonāt be renewed. Hereās whyA spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools confirms to News 6 that hundreds of teachers have received letters stating they won't be returning to their current positions next year, as the district deals with a drop in enrollment and budget cuts.
Approved by Florida lawmakers, anaphylaxis and EpiPen bill heads to DeSantisā desk
Read full article: Approved by Florida lawmakers, anaphylaxis and EpiPen bill heads to DeSantisā deskA bill in Tallahassee which would require EpiPen and anaphylaxis training for some schools is one step closer to becoming law.
EpiPen training bill for schools passes Florida Senate, awaits House approval
Read full article: EpiPen training bill for schools passes Florida Senate, awaits House approvalA bill championed by an Orange County mother that would require EpiPen and anaphylaxis training in some school programs is a step closer to getting to Gov. DeSantisā desk.
Winter Park to vote on school police officer agreement following tense funding standoff
Read full article: Winter Park to vote on school police officer agreement following tense funding standoffThe City of Winter Park is set to vote on whether to move forward with a new agreement to keep police officers on public school campuses, ending a monthslong standoff with Orange County Public Schools.
Orange County Public Schools may pay consultant to recruit students back to public classrooms
Read full article: Orange County Public Schools may pay consultant to recruit students back to public classroomsOrange County Public Schools could soon pay a consultant nearly $1,000 per student to help bring families back to traditional public schools.
Winter Park mom goes to Tallahassee to support anaphylaxis bill
Read full article: Winter Park mom goes to Tallahassee to support anaphylaxis billA proposed bill in Tallahassee that would require EpiPen and anaphylaxis training for some schools is being heard in its final Senate committee Monday afternoon.
Orange County, law enforcement agencies reach agreements on school resource officers. Here are the cities impacted
Read full article: Orange County, law enforcement agencies reach agreements on school resource officers. Here are the cities impactedFive local governments will provide officers for public schools in tentative agreements reached by Orange County Public Schools.
āYou canāt beat that:ā Local students celebrate free tuition announcement
Read full article: āYou canāt beat that:ā Local students celebrate free tuition announcementStudents at Evans High and Jones High School packed their gymnasiums to get a big announcement about their future college education.
Orange County elementary teacher arrested, accused of out-of-state sex crime
Read full article: Orange County elementary teacher arrested, accused of out-of-state sex crimeAn Orange County elementary school teacher accused of an out-of-state sex crime was arrested, according to the sheriffās office.
Parents upset over graduation plans for Jones High School. Hereās why
Read full article: Parents upset over graduation plans for Jones High School. Hereās whyOrange County Public Schools says it prioritized venues for graduation based on graduating class size, not how close the venues were to the school. But Jones High School parents say many parents or students may not have transportation across the county to UCF.
Math gets an assist from the Orlando Magic in this Orange County teacherās class
Read full article: Math gets an assist from the Orlando Magic in this Orange County teacherās classAn Orange County Public Schools math teacher is turning learning into a slam dunk by combining her two passions: education and basketball. Jennifer Lopez teaches fourth grade at Stonewyck Elementary School and has developed what she calls āMagic Math.ā
Orange County school employees get priority access to 20 affordable apartments units. Union says itās not enough
Read full article: Orange County school employees get priority access to 20 affordable apartments units. Union says itās not enoughLeaders at Orange County Public Schools are trying to solve the issue of staff shortages by giving some of the district's employees priority access to affordable housing.
Court sides against Florida mom who sued childās school district over OnlyFans controversy
Read full article: Court sides against Florida mom who sued childās school district over OnlyFans controversyAn Orange County judge has ruled against a woman who sued the public school district after an anonymous tip that she modeled for OnlyFans led to her being told she could no longer volunteer at her child's elementary school.
Memorial fund established for 6-year-old killed by alleged drunk driver in Orange County
Read full article: Memorial fund established for 6-year-old killed by alleged drunk driver in Orange CountyThe Foundation for Orange County Public Schools has established a memorial fund in honor of the 6-year-old boy who was hit and killed while riding his bicycle in an Apopka mobile home park on Saturday.
Abandoned Navy lab sealed off at this Orlando lake. Whatās lurking inside?
Read full article: Abandoned Navy lab sealed off at this Orlando lake. Whatās lurking inside?Drivers heading past Lake Gem Mary along Gatlin Avenue may be familiar with an old sealed-off building stashed away on the lakeside.
Second Harvest Food Bank works to feed families ahead of winter break
Read full article: Second Harvest Food Bank works to feed families ahead of winter breakSecond Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida along with Orange County Public Schools is hoping to feed thousands of families ahead of the school district's winter break.
āDonāt have any money:ā Some Orange County schools could replace student resource officers with guardians
Read full article: āDonāt have any money:ā Some Orange County schools could replace student resource officers with guardiansOrange County Public Schools may swap school resource officers for guardians in some district buildings next school year.
āZero tolerance:ā Orange County Public Schools urges parents to review threat and weapons course
Read full article: āZero tolerance:ā Orange County Public Schools urges parents to review threat and weapons courseOrange County Public Schools is urging parents to take the districtās new threats and weapons course so there is no room for misunderstanding:
Orange County high school band directors named semifinalists for national recognition
Read full article: Orange County high school band directors named semifinalists for national recognitionTwo band directors at Orange County district high schools have been named semifinalists for the2025 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum.
āSo very grateful:ā Orange County Public Schools celebrates approval of half-cent sales tax
Read full article: āSo very grateful:ā Orange County Public Schools celebrates approval of half-cent sales taxLeaders with Orange County Public Schools are celebrating after voters approved an extension of a half-cent sales tax to fund the districtās construction and renovation needs for the next 10 years.
Voters in Marion, Orange counties to fund school construction with sales taxes
Read full article: Voters in Marion, Orange counties to fund school construction with sales taxesVoters in two Central Florida counties on Tuesday night said they wanted to pay a half-cent sales tax to fund repairs, renovations and maintenance costs for public schools.
āWe have a crisis situation:ā Voters in Marion, Orange counties to decide whether to fund school renovations
Read full article: āWe have a crisis situation:ā Voters in Marion, Orange counties to decide whether to fund school renovationsVoters are heading to the polls in two Central Florida counties to decide whether they want to pay a half-cent sales tax to fund repairs, renovations and maintenance costs for public schools.
Orlando Magic celebrates Orange County studentsā reading achievements
Read full article: Orlando Magic celebrates Orange County studentsā reading achievementsOver 3,000 Orange County Public School students were at the Kia Center on Monday to celebrate their reading achievements with the Orlando Magic.
āSevere consequences:ā Orange County schools issue stern warning over student threats
Read full article: āSevere consequences:ā Orange County schools issue stern warning over student threatsOrange County Public Schools issued a warning to families of students in grades 6-12 on Thursday regarding potential expulsion.
Advocates for Hungerford in Eatonville argue land should belong to community
Read full article: Advocates for Hungerford in Eatonville argue land should belong to communityAdvocates with the historic Hungerford property are calling for the Orange County School Board to return the land back to the community for their control, adding that the property is sacred to the town of Eatonville.
2 Boone High School students arrested after loaded gun found on campus
Read full article: 2 Boone High School students arrested after loaded gun found on campusOrlando Police Department school resource officers were tipped off about a student carrying a suspected handgun on campus, according to a news release.