Excellent
#734 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 8% in state
Richard Henry Dana Elementary
Elementary School · Capistrano Unified
24242 La Cresta Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dana Point
#2 of 2
public schools
California elementary schools
#538 of 5,817
In district
#14 of 57
Capistrano Unified
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Richard Henry Dana Elementary
Richard Henry Dana Elementary is a public elementary school in Dana Point, CA, part of the Capistrano Unified. The school serves approximately 384 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 92.3th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 41% proficiency in math, 2 points above the state average and 48% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $131,731, where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Richard Henry Dana Elementary is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Richard Henry Dana Elementary — Students at Richard Henry Dana Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Richard Henry Dana Elementary Compares
See how Richard Henry Dana Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 45.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.22% (2024).
Location
24242 La Cresta Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richard Henry Dana Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Palisades Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Capistrano Beach), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Del Obispo Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John Malcom Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Laguna Niguel), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dana Point, see our Dana Point schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dana Hills High Dana Point | 0.8 mi | 8.9 |
| St. Edward the Confessor Parish School Dana Point | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| ST EDWARD PARISH SCHOOL Dana Point | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| MONARCH BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY Dana Point | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Monarch Bay Montessori Academy Dana Point | 1.5 mi | — |
| West River Academy Dana Point | 1.5 mi | — |
| John Malcom Elementary Laguna Niguel | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Del Obispo Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Marco Forster Middle San Juan Capistrano | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| California Connections Academy Southern California San Juan Capistrano | 2.2 mi | 2.7 |
| Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| KIE Montessori Laguna Niguel | 2.8 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI OF LAGUNA NIGUEL Laguna Niguel | 2.8 mi | — |
| Palisades Elementary Capistrano Beach | 2.4 mi | 9.1 |
| CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| George White Elementary Laguna Niguel | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| FOUNDATIONS COGNITIVE SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$131,731
Median Home Value
$1,212,400
Median Rent
$2,925/mo
Population
26,198
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
63.2%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
48.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richard Henry Dana Elementary has a median household income of $131,731. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,212,400, with a median rent of $2,925/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. G. Cook Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 8.4 |
| Arthur F. Corey Elementary Buena Park, CA | 8.4 |
| Bagby Elementary San Jose, CA | 8.4 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego, CA | 8.4 |
| Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin, CA | 8.4 |
| Birney Elementary San Diego, CA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richard Henry Dana Elementary
What grades does Richard Henry Dana Elementary serve?
Richard Henry Dana Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Richard Henry Dana Elementary?
Richard Henry Dana Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard Henry Dana Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Richard Henry Dana Elementary is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richard Henry Dana Elementary rank in CA?
Richard Henry Dana Elementary is ranked #734 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Richard Henry Dana Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Richard Henry Dana Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Richard Henry Dana Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard Henry Dana Elementary has 41.1% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richard Henry Dana Elementary a charter school?
No, Richard Henry Dana Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richard Henry Dana Elementary a Title I school?
No, Richard Henry Dana Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard Henry Dana Elementary?
44.3% of students at Richard Henry Dana Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 36 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 27 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 42 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,062/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dana Point). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (949) 496-5784
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capistrano Unified- District Enrollment
- 40,836
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,860
- District Rank
- #14 of 57
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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