Capistrano Unified School District

In the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD), students can attend any school as long as there is space; open enrollment applications are due in late February. High schoolers can attend academies that specialize in such areas as culinary arts, engineering and math; they can also participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Gifted education services are available for elementary, middle and high school students. The district also provides special education services. Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, students attending a Title I school designated as "in need of improvement" have the right to attend a higher-performing school in the district.