You may be surprised to find out that not all Westchester School Districts provide school bus transportation. School bus transportation can be a lifesaver for parents. It enables families the flexibility to have a grandparent who can’t drive or a babysitter who can’t drive watch their kids. And it is convenient for families with younger siblings or an infant at home, especially during nap time. Which Westchester School Districts Provide School Bus Transportation?
Westchester Cities are Not Required to Provide School Bus Transportation
By New York State law, cities are not required to provide school bus transportation to residents. However, the decision to provide bus transportation is dependent on the specific city. Some cities provide bus transportation while others do not. Non-city municipalities are required by law to provide bus transportation.
Elementary School and Middle School students who live more than 2.0 miles from school are eligible for bus transportation while High School students who live more than 3.0 miles from their school are eligible for bus transportation. Non-city districts are also required to provide bus transportation to students attending private or parochial schools residing within 15 miles to school. Special Education students attending schools within 50 miles are eligible for bus transportation in non-city districts. These are just basic guidelines because compared to the state minimum, most of the Westchester school districts have eligibility guidelines that are more generous than the minimum required by law.
Lower Westchester School Districts without School Bus Transportation
These are the school districts that do not provide school bus transportation.
- Edgemont Union Free School District
- Rye City School District
- Bronxville Union Free School District
- Rye Neck Union Free School District
- Pelham Union Free School District
In the school districts that do not provide school bus transportation, the kids walk to school or get dropped off and picked up by parents or babysitters. In some instances, parents from these schools organize private bus transportation for their children. For example, some students at Seely Place School (Edgemont Union Free School District) use a private bus service that is organized by parents.
Lower Westchester School Districts with School Bus Transportation
These are the schools providing school bus transportation. You will also find the eligibility requirements for school bus transportation. This is important to keep in mind as you are house hunting. That means if you live too close to school, you will not be eligible for school bus transportation.
- Scarsdale Union Free School District
- Students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school are eligible for school bus transportation.
- Students attending private schools are eligible for school bus transportation. Students must live more than 1.5 miles but less than 15 miles from school to be eligible.
- Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District
- Elementary school students who live more than 0.75 miles away and Middle School/High School students who live more than 1.5 miles away are eligible for school bus transportation.
- Students attending private schools are eligible for school bus transportation. They must live no more than 15 miles from the school.
- Ardsley Union Free School District
- Elementary school students who live more than 0.6 mile, Middle School students who live more than 1 mile and High School students who live more than 1.5 mile are eligible for school bus transportation.
- Transportation to private schools are provided as long as students live less than 15 miles from their private school.
- Mamaroneck Union Free School District
- K-8th grade students who live more than 2 miles and more than 3 miles for High School students are eligible for school bus transportation.
- Private school bus transportation is available for students whose residence is within the Mamaroneck School district and who live less than 15 miles from their private school.
- Harrison Central School District
- Elementary school students who live more than 1/2 mile and Middle School/High School students who live more than 1 mile are eligible for the school bus.
- Transportation to private schools are provided to Elementary school students who live more than 1/2 mile and Middle School/High School students who live more than 1 mile from their school up to 15 miles.
- White Plains City School District
- K-5th grade students who live more than 1/2 mile and middle school students who live more than one mile are eligible for school bus transportation. High School students are not eligible for free school bus transportation. However, there are bus stops around the city where students can take to White Plains High School for $1.75. Students can buy a monthly booklet of 20 bus tickets for $25.00.
- Eastchester Union Free School District
- K-5th grade students who live more than 1/2 mile and 6th-12th grade students who live more than one mile are eligible for school bus transportation.
- Residents attending Private schools are eligible for school bus transportation. The student must reside within 15 miles from the school.
Obviously, it is more convenient to live in a school district with school bus transportation. Do keep in mind though, even if you have bus service, you may still have to drive to your bus stop. If you live far from your bus stop or during the cold winter months, you may opt to drive. If that is the case, sometimes it is easier to drop your child directly off at school. The best case scenario is if you live in a house where the school bus stops right outside your driveway- that is not very common- it is almost like winning the lottery.
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