A high school student was reported to police for saying "Isis" instead of "United States of America" during a recital of the American pledge of allegiance.

Police said the 15-year-old student at Ansonia High School in Connecticut was not charged, but the case was turned over to the Department of Homeland Security.

The student was ejected from class for using the word Isis - a term commonly used for the so-called Islamic State group meaning Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - during the oath of loyalty to the US that students recite before class in some US schools.

The boy, who was not identified, now attends classes in a board of education annex building.

The boy's mother said at a board meeting her son's removal from school was an irrational decision.

A lawyer representing the school and board of education said the boy's dismissal was "out of an abundance of caution".