Making a WHALE of a difference!
R.H. Dana Elementary School has proudly served the Dana Point community since 1966 and it is closely linked with California's exciting history and its rich cultural diversity. The school honors Richard Henry Dana Jr., the sailor and author whose experiences along the California coast helped inspire the name of Dana Point.
Rooted in this rich maritime heritage, R.H. Dana celebrates its coastal community through bilingual education, multicultural learning, marine biology, and environmental stewardship. Bilingualism gives students the ability to communicate across languages and cultures while strengthening literacy, problem-solving skills, confidence, and appreciation for diverse perspectives. Through its dual-language program, the school strives to develop bilingual, biliterate, multicultural, and environmentally responsible global citizens.
R.H. Dana’s continued growth and commitment to student success have also earned important recognition. In 2026, the school was named a Promising Practices School by Solution Tree for its strong collaborative teaching practices and evidence of improved student learning.
Generations of students, families, educators, and community partners have helped make R.H. Dana a welcoming place where children learn, grow, celebrate their cultures, and discover their important role in protecting our oceans and the world around them.
Rooted in this rich maritime heritage, R.H. Dana celebrates its coastal community through bilingual education, multicultural learning, marine biology, and environmental stewardship. Bilingualism gives students the ability to communicate across languages and cultures while strengthening literacy, problem-solving skills, confidence, and appreciation for diverse perspectives. Through its dual-language program, the school strives to develop bilingual, biliterate, multicultural, and environmentally responsible global citizens.
R.H. Dana’s continued growth and commitment to student success have also earned important recognition. In 2026, the school was named a Promising Practices School by Solution Tree for its strong collaborative teaching practices and evidence of improved student learning.
Generations of students, families, educators, and community partners have helped make R.H. Dana a welcoming place where children learn, grow, celebrate their cultures, and discover their important role in protecting our oceans and the world around them.
MISSION STATEMENT
At RH Dana Elementary School, our mission is to ensure all students achieve at grade level or better in two languages, embrace diversity, and become enviromental stewards.
At RH Dana Elementary School, our mission is to ensure all students achieve at grade level or better in two languages, embrace diversity, and become enviromental stewards.
VISION STATEMENT
We strive to be a thriving, dual immersion community of students, staff, and parents who focus on grade level or above student achievement in both languages, enviromental stewardship, and openly embrace diversity.