Programs & Services
Comprehensive programs and services that support every student’s growth, independence, and success.
Learn about the comprehensive programs and services that support every student’s growth, independence, and success.
Academic
Students at CSM follow the Montgomery County Public Schools curriculum and the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Instruction includes group lessons in functional academics and enrichment areas such as reading, math, science, health, cooking, art, and physical education. Most of each student’s day is guided by an individualized schedule focused on IEP goals, related services, and transition and prevocational activities, with scheduled breaks built in to support engagement.
Community-Based Instruction
One of CSM’s primary goals is to help students become active members of their communities. Through Community-Based Instruction, students participate in weekly outings that include functional activities such as grocery shopping, dining out, and recreation. These experiences help students build communication skills, practice appropriate behaviors, and apply skills learned at school in real-world settings that support greater independence.
Transition and Prevocational Services
Preparing students for life after high school is a central focus at CSM. In the classroom, students engage in structured prevocational activities that build skills such as sorting, matching, counting, fine and gross motor coordination, and task completion. In the Prevocational and Life Skills Center, students practice skills related to retail, office, and restaurant settings, as well as independent living skills. Students age 18 and over may participate in community jobsites one to two times per week.
Residential Services
CSM offers a community-based residential program for students referred through LEAs, the Autism Waiver, Departments of Social Services, and other public agencies. Group homes are located throughout Montgomery County and typically serve two to three students per home. Residential staff provide awake supervision and support students in developing independent living skills through structured activities during afternoons and weekends.
Related Services
The Community School of Maryland provides speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and other related services in accordance with each student’s IEP. Services are delivered individually or in small groups and may take place in a provider’s office or through push-in support during daily activities. CSM uses a consultation-based model in which related service providers collaborate closely with both students and staff.