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Please review our In Person Return Plan for coming back to school in the fall. To place a student in our program please see our RISE Intake page.

Along with providing professional development and regulatory services, South Cook ISC also implements alternative school programs for the Regional Safe Schools Program legislation. South Cook ISC serves as the district office for the Regional Institute for Academic Excellence (RISE).

Established as a result of P.A.89-383, effective 8-18-95 and P.A. 89-636, effective 8-9-96, South Cook ISC operates the Safe Schools Program pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/13A of the Illinois School Code. The Regional Institute for Scholastic Excellence (RISE) is an alternative school program serving students from grades 6 - 12 who are eligible for suspension or expulsion, or who have been suspended or may be expelled, due to gross misconduct. The RISE program is offered to students by the local public school districts serviced by the South Cook ISC as an optional educational opportunity for students who may be expelled, are suspended, or at risk of failure or dropout.

The following are the three types of programs South Cook currently is offering through RISE:

  • RISE Regular Intake South Cook ISC operates the Regional Institute for Scholastic Excellence (RISE). RISE is an alternative school program for disruptive youth in grades 6-12 within the educational service region of South Suburban Cook County. The RISE program serves students in grades 6-12 who are eligible for suspension or expulsion, or who have been suspended or are eligible for expulsion due to gross misconduct.
  • RISE Short-term Intake South Cook ISC operates the Regional Institute for Scholastic Excellence (RISE) Short-Term program. The RISE Short-Term program serves students in grades 6-12 and is designed to reset a student’s learning experience; the Short-Term Program may be used as an alternative to out of school suspension, allowing students to continue their education.
  • RISE Credit Recovery Intake South Cook ISC operates the Regional Institute for Scholastic Excellence (RISE) Credit Recovery program. The RISE Credit Recovery program is designed for students in grades 10-12 with severe credit deficiencies.

Transition to a Safe Schools Program

A student who is determined eligible for placement in the Safe Schools Program according to the provisions of The School Code may be administratively transferred to the Safe Schools Program. As quickly as possible following the transfer, Rise Staff will meet to develop an alternative education plan (IOEP) for the student. The student's parents or guardians shall be invited to the meeting, and the student will also be invited to attend.

If you a have any questions about if these programs are right for your student, please review our qualifying criteria and our RISE FAQ's or contact us at ContactSCISC@s-cook.org. If you are ready to place a student, go to our intake page for more information on how to start that process.