Horizons

• MAIPSE Horizon students who cannot pass the MCAS exams and no longer qualify for special education through their district. The ultimate goal of the Community of Inclusive Scholars Program is to prepare students for paid employment through the promotion of self-determination, self-advocacy, increased independence, and improvement of social skills.
• Ideal participants desire to go to college to learn skills enabling them to live independently. Participants will be considered matriculated students, gaining access to all extracurricular activities and academic support.

• Primary disability severe intellectual, developmental or autism spectrum disability
• Applicant has not passed MCAS or has accepted a traditional high school diploma
• Has had an IEP
• Has demonstrated they have successfully accessed accommodations and/or other instructional supports in a high school general education content area course
• Has means of independent communication
• Has a satisfactory record of school attendance
• Has the desire to attend a post-secondary college 

Parents, guardians, or students can apply to the Community of Inclusive Scholars. The process and the required documents are as follows:

• Documents required:
  • IEP-most recent
  • Most recent testing-within three years
  • Transcript
  • Attendance record
  • Transition planning document 
  • Agency planning document
  • Three letters of reference
  • Personal statement

Once the completed application is reviewed, prospective candidates and their families will participate in a visit to Salem State University to include attendance in a Salem State undergraduate course. During the visit, a personal interview will be held with the prospective student and their family.

• Enroll in two courses per semester
• Participate in a community life group
• Access peer tutoring through the Center of Academic Excellence and Writing Center
• Access the Gassett Fitness Center
• Participate in student organizations and clubs
• Access paid and unpaid internships on and off campus
  • Participate in travel training
  • Second-year students may be invited to apply to live on campus. For more information, please see the Community Life section.

Many parents desire to see their students participate in a higher education program. The Community for Inclusive Scholars Program supports parents during the transition to post-secondary programming. CIS has a Partnership Leadership Team that parents are welcome to join. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to participate in CIS's continued growth.

Parental involvement helps students:

• Take ownership of their goals, interests, and needs, and create a path to employment
• Support their student in acquiring skills in advocacy and self-determination
• Become independent learners and active in identifying and participating in campus activities

• DDS-eligible students may use self-directed funds to participate in the CIS Horizons.
• Students who have MRC income-based eligibility may be able to access funding for CIS Horizons. 
• MA Department of Higher Education grant funding provides additional funding for students eligible for DDS.
• Each year, a private pay rate is established for those students not eligible for agency funding.