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Average

#4466 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 47% 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

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,466 of 9,539

In Dana Point

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#50 of 57

Capistrano Unified

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Richard Henry Dana Elementary

6.5/10

Elementary School in Dana Point · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dana Hills High

8.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St. Edward the Confessor Parish School

Nearby

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Richard Henry Dana Elementary

Richard Henry Dana Elementary is a public elementary school in Dana Point, CA, part of Capistrano Unified. Richard Henry Dana Elementary serves approximately 384 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Richard Henry Dana Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #4,466 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Richard Henry Dana Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Richard Henry Dana Elementary runs 20.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg0 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,860
Chronic Absenteeism17.4%

Richard Henry Dana Elementary — Students at Richard Henry Dana Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 43.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
35.5%
ELA
36.4%
2024
Math
43.4%
ELA
48.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.

How Richard Henry Dana Elementary Compares

See how Richard Henry Dana Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

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. Capistrano Home/Virtual (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby San Juan Capistrano), which scores notably higher. Another option is Palisades Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Capistrano Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Malcom Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Laguna Niguel), which scores slightly higher. 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 8.0
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 6.9
Del Obispo Elementary San Juan Capistrano 2.1 mi 6.4
Marco Forster Middle San Juan Capistrano 2.1 mi 6.2
Kinoshita Elementary San Juan Capistrano 2.3 mi 4.1
California Connections Academy Southern California San Juan Capistrano 2.2 mi 3.4
Capistrano Home/Virtual San Juan Capistrano 2.3 mi 7.6
California Preparatory Academy San Juan Capistrano 2.3 mi 7.7
KIE Montessori Laguna Niguel 2.8 mi
MONTESSORI OF LAGUNA NIGUEL Laguna Niguel 2.8 mi
Palisades Elementary Capistrano Beach 2.4 mi 7.6
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS San Juan Capistrano 2.9 mi 4.9
George White Elementary Laguna Niguel 3.5 mi 6.7
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Academia Moderna Walnut Park, CA 6.5
Allison Elementary Pomona, CA 6.5
BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT UPPER SCHOOL Fremont, CA 6.5
Baywood Elementary San Mateo, CA 6.5
Beethoven Street Elementary Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Bel Aire Park Elementary Napa, CA 6.5

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 ranks #4,466 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Richard Henry Dana Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Richard Henry Dana Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Richard Henry Dana Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Richard Henry Dana Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

District

Capistrano Unified
District Enrollment
40,836
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,860
District Rank
#50 of 57

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