Open House Sat, Oct 31, 12 PM
Orange County Coast
Dana Point Schools
Capistrano Unified's public schools in Dana Point and Capistrano Beach: grades, addresses, how to find the school for an address, and private schools.
Capistrano Unified School District
Capistrano Unified School District serves Dana Point, including Capistrano Beach, along with all or part of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and several unincorporated communities, across about 200 square miles. It was founded in 1965, and its office is at 33122 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano. Its elementary schools run from transitional kindergarten to grade 5, its middle schools from grade 6 to 8.
Public Schools in Dana Point
- R.H. Dana Elementary, preschool to grade 5, 24242 La Cresta Drive
- Palisades Elementary, transitional kindergarten to grade 5, 26462 Via Sacramento, Capistrano Beach
- Dana Hills High School, grades 9 to 12, 33333 Golden Lantern
Dana Point has no middle school of its own. Most of the city is assigned to Marco Forster Middle School, at 25601 Camino del Avion in San Juan Capistrano. Monarch Beach addresses go to Niguel Hills Middle School in Laguna Niguel, and Capistrano Beach addresses to Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente. Most Dana Point addresses are assigned to Dana Hills High School, while Capistrano Beach addresses go to San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano and a few near the San Clemente line to San Clemente High School. Check the assignment for each address. No charter school has a campus in Dana Point.
How to Find the School for a Dana Point Address
Capistrano Unified’s mySchool Locator takes a street address and returns the assigned elementary, middle and high schools, with a layer that shows the attendance boundaries. The district ties eligibility to the attendance boundary, proven with two current documents such as a utility bill and a lease or mortgage statement.
School of Choice and Transfers
Residents of the district can apply for a campus outside their boundary through the district’s School of Choice program each winter, when space allows and with no district busing. Interdistrict transfers need the approval of both districts and run one year at a time. The district’s student placement pages post each year’s dates.
Private Schools in Dana Point
The state’s 2025-26 private school data includes St. Edward the Confessor Parish School and Monarch Bay Montessori Academy, both in Dana Point, and San Clemente Christian School, which despite its name sits in Capistrano Beach. Confirm grades and enrollment with each school.
Homes for Sale in Dana Point
These are the six newest Dana Point listings in the MLS. Check each address in the district’s locator for its assigned schools.
Open House Sat, Oct 31, 1 PM
Open House Thu, Nov 5, 5 PM
More About Dana Point
Our Dana Point real estate page covers every community and its homes for sale, living in Dana Point covers daily life, and our Dana Point beaches guide covers the coast. Compare the city with Laguna Niguel and San Clemente, or talk with us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dana Point Schools
What school district serves Dana Point?
Capistrano Unified School District serves all of Dana Point, including Capistrano Beach.
Which high school do Dana Point students attend?
Most Dana Point addresses are assigned to Dana Hills High School, at 33333 Golden Lantern. Capistrano Beach addresses are assigned to San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano, and a few near the San Clemente line to San Clemente High School. Confirm any address with the district’s mySchool Locator.
Is there a middle school in Dana Point?
No. Most Dana Point addresses go to Marco Forster Middle School in San Juan Capistrano, Monarch Beach to Niguel Hills Middle School and Capistrano Beach to Shorecliffs Middle School; the district’s locator gives the assignment for each address.
How do I find the assigned school for a Dana Point home?
Enter the address in Capistrano Unified’s mySchool Locator, which returns the assigned elementary, middle and high schools.
Listing alerts
Be first to see new Dana Point listings
What criteria are you looking for?
New Dana Point homes by email, often before they reach the big portals.
You are all set.
Thinking About Dana Point?
Let’s find your place on the coast
Whether you’re buying in Dana Point or preparing to sell, we’d welcome the chance to talk through your options, no obligation.