Apply to Horizons CIS
To apply to Horizons CIS, click on the link below for the application.
Within this eight (8) page application, there are nine (9) steps that must be completed by the applicant. Applicants must write legibly in ink and complete every step. Incomplete applications are not considered.
We encourage applicants to take their time to read the questions and tasks carefully because many of the responses require thoughtful consideration.
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Information about applying to Horizons CIS
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How to Submit the Horizons CIS Application
Students who currently attend a MDUSD high school (home school) and want to transfer to Horizons CIS
- Students should return the completed application to the student's home school.
- The home school must be notified first; the application cannot be considered further without having the application go through the home school first.
- Registrars at the student's home school will process the application.
- The home school will submit the application and student cumulative file through appropriate channels for formal administrative review.
- Optional: Students who want to ensure that Horizons is aware of the intention to transfer to our school may email (or send by US mail) a copy of their completed application to the Horizons School Office Manager. However, this optional step does not mean the application is accelerated for consideration. Students must include a message that states the actual date when the application was returned to the home school. By doing this, Horizons can at minimum anticipate the intentions of applicants.
Students who attend a non-MDUSD high school and want to transfer to Horizons CIS
- In general, students who attend a high school outside of the MDUSD school district will need to first initiate an Interdistrict Transfer to the MDUSD school district.
- Students can begin and learn more about Interdistrict Transfers on the MDUSD website for enrollment procedures.
- Detailed Transfer information is available through the Student Services department.
- When an Interdistrict Transfer is in progress, students who are interested in Horizons will similarly follow the steps as described about returning the completed Horizons CIS application (i.e. submit it to student’s MDUSD home school, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How can students best prepare for completing the Horizons CIS application?
- Students should respond to the application questions clearly, directly, and with as much well-thought out details as the questions require.
- The personal essay is an indication of how well and how much students understand and have thought what it will mean to transfer to an independent study program.
- The student file provides essential information and snapshots of student academic history up to a current point in time.
- Completion of most of the application by students themselves is also a kind of assessment on the ability to understand and follow written directions.
What happens when the application is submitted?
- A thorough review of the application, along with the personal essay and the student's school file, is a critical step in the process.
- Decisions are not made lightly. A combination of factors are considered, such as determining the student's potential ability to perform well and whether the school's curriculum and resources are a good match.
- Effort is made to ensure that students are always on the most appropriate path towards successful progress in their academic journey.
When will a student be notified about the status of the application?
- Patience is key in allowing an application to travel through the proper channels along the process.
- In general, it may take several days and more for all the required documents (application/essay and student file) to be reviewed, processed, physically moved from one site location to another, and reviewed further.
- If there are any concerns, we welcome reasonable inquiries about an application’s status and we’ll respond as best as possible.
