Although typical transitions are from one vertical level of schooling to another, it is becoming increasingly common for transitions to also include moving between regular and alternative placements. Many high schools rely on alternate placements as a means of dealing with disruptive students. There is also a subcategory of placements for students who have a disability. Appropriate transitions in each of these demanding situations is essential to keep the placement from becoming a temporary dumping ground and leading the student to feel increasingly isolated. Other types of placements are voluntary, although these students need support during their transitions as well. In this article, the author discusses the types of placements, the problems associated with placements, and the need of a protocol for horizontal transitions. Although having a protocol in place for horizontal transfers is necessary, communicating both its existence and its relevance to the entire staff is almost as important if the school community is to be a unified safety net for students who leave their traditional setting and move to a nontraditional--often off-site--setting.