Is there a charge for public education?

Education is tuition-free in California. Schools are primarily financed by local property taxes and state funds.

Who is served by Capistrano Unified?

CUSD serves families residing in the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Wagon Wheel.

How do I register my child for school?

Parents who are new to the area and reside within district attendance boundaries may enroll their child at the school serving their neighborhood. To register, parents need to provide the school with proof of residence and the child’s immunization records. At registration, the name and address of the child’s previous school will be requested if the parent does not have possession of student records. For students entering kindergarten and grade 1, parents need to provide a birth certificate or other evidence of age. For additional information regarding registration, please click here or call the neighborhood school.

What immunizations are required?

For important information about immunization requirements for children, please see Health Support Information. Call (949) 234-9348 with questions.

Do I have a choice of school for my child?

If parents wish to have their child attend a school other than the neighborhood school, they may apply to do so under the Open Enrollment Program. For more information, call the Open Enrollment Hotline at (949) 234-9335, or click here.

Are there advanced academic achievement opportunities?

All schools offer the Advanced Academic Achievement (AAA) Program, formerly the GATE Program, for eligible students in grades 3-12. Students are identified for AAA based on assessed intellectual abilities and overall school performance. Click Here for more information or call (949) 489-7143.

Are alternative education and special education programs available?

Alternative education programs are available, such as Serra High School and the Capistrano Home Outreach Option for Student Education (CHOOSE) program. Special Education programs include services such as speech therapy and part-time instruction in the Resource Specialist Program (RSP). Your school principal has more information on all alternative and special education programs.

Are new schools being built in Capistrano Unified?

The district has built 31 new schools since 1990, helping to reduce the average number of students in individual schools. In September 2007, San Juan Hills High in San Juan Capistrano opened and became the district’s sixth comprehensive high school campus. The Board of Trustees has a goal of making schools better learning environments by reducing the number of students at each campus.

In addition to new construction, CUSD continues to modernize and improve existing schools by using funds approved by local voters in 1999 under Measure A and through matching funds from the State of California approved under Proposition 47 in 2002. More than 22 schools have been upgraded and/or modernized in ongoing work since 1999.

Does Capistrano Unified approve charter schools as authorized under state law?

The Board of Trustees of Capistrano Unified has approved three charter schools to operate in the district. The Journey Charter School operates a K-7 school: 949/448-7232. The Opportunities for Learning Charter School operates a 7-12 school: 949/248-1282. The Connections Academy Charter School operates a K-11 school: (949) 249-2260. Charter schools are required to submit an annual report and audit to the Board of Trustees.

Where can I get more information?

In general, call your neighborhood school first. Offices are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from early August to June 30. You may also call the CUSD Education Center throughout the year between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (949) 234-9200. Information about almost all aspects of the district is available on this website.