A Brief History of SOCSA

-In the Fall of 1989, a small group of administrators, teachers, parents, and students talked and planned about the creation of a visual and performing arts public high school for the Capistrano Unified School District.

-On November 20, 1995, the Capistrano Unified School District School Board approved the concept of a visual and performing arts high school academy.

-In the Spring of 1996, a pilot program was launched at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, CA offering intensive arts programs which included Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Vocal Music, Production/Design, and Visual Arts.

-In 2000, the SOCSA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established to raise funds to support SOCSA.

-In 2001, the First American Financial Corporation Foundation became SOCSA's first corporate sponsor.

-In 2003, eight years after it's inception, SOCSA has an enrollment of over 240 students. Dana Hills High School has received two commendations as a State California Distinguished School and a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. The excellence of the SOCSA program has greatly contributed toward the success of Dana Hills in receiving these awards.