If your child has been expelled, the school district may give you the choice to send your child to an alternative school. In Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools will likely give you the choice to enroll your child in SAFE Achieve Academy High School or Elementary School. Alternative schools may have smaller classes and few, if any, extra-curricular activities. Sometimes these schools have waiting lists.

In some cases, the school may transfer your child right away to an alternative school. This could even happen before the expulsion hearing takes place. Starting on January 1, 2024, before the transfer, the school must give you information about the alternative school program, including the number of students in the program, available services, disciplinary policies, typical daily schedule, and any extracurricular activities.

After the transfer, the old school and the new school must develop an alternative education plan for your child. The meeting between the schools should take place as soon as possible. You must be invited to the meeting. Your child may be invited as well. The plan developed by the schools must include:

• The date when your child may return to their old school;
• Educational and behavioral plans; and
• A time period and process for reviewing your child’s progress at the alternative school and for transitioning the student back to their old school. 

Starting January 1, 2024, the alternative education plan must also include a transition meeting at least 30 days before the student returns to their old school with the old school, the new school, and the parent or guardian. 

Usually, a student expelled from one Illinois school district will be considered "not in good standing" by other public schools in Illinois. While the student is expelled, he or she may either be kept out of school or allowed to attend an alternative school, if there is one. You may be able to enroll your child in a private school. If your child attends a state-funded early education program, they cannot be expelled.