Chapter 8-6 - Expulsion

​​​Reasons for Expulsion
​Reasons for expulsion include but are not limited to the following offenses:

• Actions that are gravely detrimental to the moral and spiritual welfare of other students 

• Habitual profanity or vulgarity 

• Assault, battery, or any threat of force or violence directed toward any student or school personnel

• Harassing, bull​ying, or hazing other students or school personnel 

• Open, persistent defiance of the teacher's authority

• Continued willful disobedience 

• Use, sale, distribution, or possession of narcotics, drugs,​ or any other controlled substance

• Use, sale, distribution, or possession of any alcoholic beverages on or near school premises 

• Smoking, pos​session of tob​acco​, vaping or possession of vaping devices

• Theft 

• Forgery of signatures 

• Cheating or plagiarism 

• Willful defacement or damage of school property, real or personal

• Habitual truancy 

• Possession of weapons (e.g., knives or guns)  

• Membership in, active involvement in, or affiliation with a gang or group responsible for coercive or violent activity 

• Actions in or out of school that are detrimental to the school's reputation 

• Violations of the electronic acceptab​le use polici​es and guidelines 

• Inappropriate conduct or behavior unbecoming a student in a Catholic school 

• Violations of the Code of Christian Conduct by parents or students

Procedure for Expulsion

A grave offense ​may include a violation of law or actions so outrageous as to shock the conscience of the community and the continued presence of the student at school (even for a short period of time) will pose, in the reasonable judgment of the principal, a serious threat to the health and welfare of students, faculty, or staff. If a student has committed a grave offense, the student is immediately removed from the school premises; if the student is not on campus, the student and parents/guardians are informed that the student may not return to campus.  When expulsion is probable, the school should describe the grave offense to the student and his or her parents/guardians and its potential consequences while the matter is being investigated.

Except in cases involving grave offenses, the school must take the following steps prior to expelling a student:

• The principal, teacher, parents/guardians, and student must attend a conference. The principal will advise the family that the student could be expelled unless the student's behavior improves immediately. In parish schools, the pastor should be notified of the conference, given an opportunity to attend, and provided a report of the discussion. 

• If the student's behavior does not improve, the school may decide to expel the student. A decision to expel will be communicated at a second conference attended by the principal, teacher, parents/guardians, and pastor (if applicable). If the parents/guardians fail, without cause, to attend the conference, the decision will stand and the parents/guardians will be notified. In a parish school, the decision to expel rests with the pastor in consultation with the principal. 

• ​Teachers are prohibited from expelling a student on their own authority. 

• The school should give full credit for all work the student completed before being expelled.

• Parents/guardians of high school students who disagree with the decision to have their student withdraw or be expelled may request or ​​be referred to a disciplinary review board which listens to the facts of the case, discusses the matter, and makes a recommendation to the principal.  

• If parents/guardians believe that the school has abused its discretion or violated its policies and procedures in expelling their child, they should follow the procedure set out in the Complaint​ Review Process for Parents/Guardians and Students. 

Written Records

The school must keep on file a written record of the steps leading to an expulsion, with copies of all pertinent communications and reports. This record should be maintained for one year following the expulsion.

Time of Expulsion

A school may immediately expel a student if the reasons are urgent.
Only in exceptional cases shall a school be allowed to expel a graduating student who has been in the school one or more years.
For elementary schools, if an expulsion happens during the last quarter of the school year or during the last semester in the case of a graduating student, the school needs prior approval of the Department of Catholic Schools before the expulsion can take effect. It is recommended that high schools consult with the Department of C​atholic Schools​​ before expelling a graduating student.

Reporting of Expulsions

Even if they occur at the end of the school year, all expulsions are to be reported by phone to the assistant superintende​nt​ at the Department of Catholic Schools within 24 hours and subsequently submitted in writing.

The school shall immediately notify the county office of education when a student who is an individual with exceptional needs or who is a qualified handicapped person is expelled.  In this circumstance, a copy of the Cumulative Pupil Record should be held until requested.

Right to Make Exceptions​

The principal, in consultation with the pastor (for a parish school), retains the right to make exceptions in cases where mitigating circumstances call for a different response than policy suggests.

Home Study

Certain circumstances may dictate that a student, at the discretion of the principal, be excluded from school attendance for a period of time. This is a remedy for unusual situations and is not considered a suspension. The school may give students tests, etc., outside school hours so that grades can be reported. A student placed on home study is expected to pay full tuition. Parents/guardians are responsible for supervising a student on home study.

At the discretion of the principal, any student may be placed on home study until the concern is resolved.

Excerpt from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Administrative Handbook. Updated: 7-16-2021, 9-16-2024. Please see Chapter 13-9-6 - Expulsion.