Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Sarah is eight weeks pregnant. She has not been feeling well and is having a hard time concentrating in class. She is afraid to tell anyone because she has heard that she will be forced to leave school. Can Sarah's school make her leave because she is pregnant?
A. No. Sarah has a right to stay in school throughout her pregnancy. She has the rights of every other student. She may attend her regular classes and participate in school activities.
Q. Ebony attends St. Christopher's Catholic School . She is four weeks pregnant. Ebony is worried that the school will make her leave. Should Ebony be worried?
A. Maybe. Private schools that are not funded by the government do not guarantee that they will treat students equally. Some private schools do receive federal money. If Ebony's school receives any federal funds, it cannot make Ebony leave school because she is pregnant.
Q. Ana is 16 years old and four months pregnant and her school principal has asked her to attend an alternative school in her district. Ana is concerned because she knows the alternative school does not offer the AP classes that she needs for college. Must Ana attend the alternative school because she is pregnant?
A. No. A pregnant teen may not be forced to attend an alternative education program. The decision to leave school and attend an alternative program is entirely up to Ana.
Q. Tena is 17 years old and 7 months pregnant. Her guidance counselor is worried that having a baby and going to school will be too much for Tena to handle and wants Tena to get her GED. Does Tena have to leave school and get her GED?
A. No. Tena has a legal right to stay in her regular school, no matter what reasons are given by her guidance counselor or any other school employee telling her to leave school. The decision to leave school and and get a GED is entirely up to Tena.
Q. Cassandra is 2 months pregnant and wants to get an abortion. She is afraid that she will be kicked out of her chapter of the National Honor Society if she gets the abortion. Can she be kicked out?
A. No. The National Honor Society cannot ask Cassandra to leave simply because she has had an abortion.
Q. Greta is 2 months pregnant and 16 years old. She is thinking about going to her school guidance counselor for advice about her pregnancy options. Must her communications with the guidance counselor be kept confidential?
A. No. If Greta's guidance counselor hears any information that tells her that Greta has had sexual contact with another person, the guidance counselor may have to report the sexual contact to law enforcement.
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