The cognitive ability of the child, the functional ability of the child, and the appropriateness of a segregated placement must all be considered. Students who educationally benefit from special education and related services that can be provided by local educational agencies are not considered eligible for services through MSSD. In general, students with disabilities such as cognitive deficits falling two to three standard deviations below the mean, Speech or Language Impairments, Hearing Impaired/Deaf, Visually Impaired/Blind, Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disturbance, Other Health Impaired, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Orthopedically Impaired can receive an appropriate education when served by local educational agencies.

Students must meet the cognitive deficit requirement to be eligible, and the school district must justify that the public separate school placement proposal represents the least restrictive environment. A student, who meets the significant cognitive deficits criteria, and is accepted by MSSD must attain the age of five (5) years before they may enroll. Additionally, MSSD does not accept students who are homebound and unable to attend school at least part-time. Students may be enrolled in the MSSD until their 21st birthday.