The District has the sole discretion to make promotion, retention, and placement decisions for its students, consistent with state and federal law. The District may consider Parent requests that a student be placed in a particular classroom, building, educational program, or grade.

A.    Student Promotion and Retention

The building principal will attempt to consult with a student’s Parent before deciding to retain a student, advance a student to the next grade mid-year, or allow a student to skip a grade level. If the Parent disagrees with the building principal’s decision about promotion or retention, the Superintendent or designee will make the final decision.

B.    Student Placement

The Superintendent or designee will determine a student’s classroom and building placement based on District needs, available space, and educational expertise, consistent with state and federal law. The District’s placement decision is final. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit or modify rights under state or federal laws applicable to students with disabilities, including the right to have placement decisions made by an IEP or Section 504 Team.

C.   Intradistrict Choice

A student who is the victim of a violent criminal offense at school may transfer to another public school in the District, if available. A student who is attending a persistently dangerous school may transfer to another public school in the District, if available. The Superintendent or designee will notify Parents if their student is eligible to transfer under this Policy.

This Policy incorporates the definitions for “violent criminal offense” and “persistently dangerous school” contained in the Michigan State Board of Education’s Statewide Safe School Choice Policy.

D.   Nontraditional Programs

The District may operate nontraditional programs to meet the needs of all students. Nontraditional programs may include alternative education or virtual settings. The building principal or designee will attempt to consult with a student’s Parent before finalizing a decision to move a student to a nontraditional program. If the Parent disagrees with the building principal’s or designee’s decision, the Superintendent or designee will make the final decision, consistent with applicable law. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit or modify rights under state or federal laws applicable to students with disabilities, including the right to have placement decisions made by an IEP or Section 504 Team.

E.    Reserved

Legal authority: 20 USC 7912; MCL 380.1278a, 380.1278b, MCL 388.1621f

Date adopted: 08/09/21

Date revised: 10/16/23, 07/17/2025