Transportation and Busing

At Lakeville Area Schools, our goal is to get students safely to and from school each day.

On Feb. 27, 2024, the Lakeville Area Schools Board of Education approved K-8 attendance area adjustments model D3 after several months of designing updated school boundaries with stakeholder input. The school boundary adjustments are necessary in order to address capacity issues across K-8 schools and to open the District's newest school, Highview Elementary. Boundary adjustments for grades K-8 will take effect beginning in the 2024-25 school year, while high school boundaries remain unchanged. To confirm your student's school assignment for the 2024-25 school year, most families can use the 'Interactive Attendance Area Map Tool' on the District's Map & Attendance Boundaries webpage.The Transportation Safety Committee has met to develop safety zones and walker zones for the 2024-25 school year. Use the Attendance Area Search Tool to find your transportation zone.

We contract for bus service in partnership with Schmitty and Sons Bus Company, which includes coordinating school bus routes, registering students for school bus service, and transporting over 9,000 students twice every school day.

Lakeville Area Schools provides free transportation for special education students by IEP team decision, and regular education students who qualify, which includes:

K-5 students who live 0.8 miles or more from their elementary school
6-12 students who live 2 miles or more from their secondary school
Students who live in a designated safety zone

Families are responsible to verify and confirm the assigned schools for their address. If you need additional assistance, please contact the school district to determine the schools to which the property is zoned. (Realtors and/or Builders may not have updated information for that address.)

Students who qualify for free transportation do not need to register. Bus assignments will be posted in Infinite Campus Parent Portal the week before school starts.

If the transportation zone information indicates you live in a “Walk or Pay Option" (to the assigned school for your address), you have the option to pay a transportation fee of $500 per student. The School District will begin accepting payment for this transportation fee for the 2024-25 school year in July.

Please note, the distance is measured by the District GIS system (not Google, Mapquest, etc.) based on either the intersection of where the buses turn into the school or the nearest school entrance, whichever is closest, to the farthest edge of a property line (sidewalks, trails and paths are factored in as safe routes to school).

How do I register for transportation? (Pay-to-ride)

Transportation Provided

If the transportation zone listed indicates “transportation provided,” your student qualifies for bus transportation to and from school. If your student qualifies for bus transportation, no further action is required beyond checking your Parent Portal - Infinite Campus for route information one week prior to the start of school.

Pay-to-Ride Zone

If the transportation zone information indicates you live in a “pay-to-ride zone,” you have the option to pay a transportation fee. You may register and pay the fee online in Infinite Campus Parent Portal through the School Store. (School Store Instructions)

IN ORDER FOR ROUTES TO BE COMPLETED, TRANSPORTATION REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CLOSED

AUGUST 16, 2024 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

Transportation registrations will re-open

Monday, September 9, 2024

2024-25 School Year Cost: $500 per student.
Families who qualify for Educational Benefits may be eligible for reduced prices.

For instructions on registering in the Infinite Campus Portal, please refer to these step-by-step instructions on paying Transportation fees.

Once you pay and receive the confirmation, check the parent portal the week prior to the start of school for route information.

If your child qualifies for free or reduced meals, you may be eligible for assistance. To complete the application for educational benefits, go to Free and Reduced Meal Benefits. Please note, families also must register for transportation using the Parent Portal if they live in a “pay-to-ride zone.” Families also may register using the paper form.

Transportation will not be prorated for part time riders.

Where can I find my student's school bus route information?

Bus stop information is posted on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal approximately one week before the beginning of the school year.

Log into your Parent Portal
On the left side of the page click 'more'
Under 'more', click on 'transportation'

If you need help accessing the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, please contact the Student Information Department at sissupport@isd194.org.

Where’s my bus?

Access your student’s bus location in real time by downloading the app Here Comes the Bus.

Are you moving?

If you are moving, please ensure that your child is assigned to the correct bus stop by updating your address with Schmitty and Sons Bus Co. and the District's Student Information Department.

Who qualifies for bus transportation and why isn't everyone provided a school bus?

Students who qualify for school bus transportation:

K-5 students to students who live 0.8 miles or more from their elementary school
6-12 students who live 2 miles or more from their secondary school
Students who live in a designated safety zone

To see if your student qualifies for bus transportation, go to the Attendance Area Finder and type in your house number or street name. If the transportation zone listed indicates “transportation provided,” your student qualifies for bus transportation to and from school.

If the transportation zone information indicates "Walker Zone - pay option," your student does NOT qualify for bus transportation and you will need to make alternative arrangements to get your student to and from school.

Why isn't everyone provided a school bus?

State law requires public school districts to provide free transportation for all students living 2 or more miles from their school.

What if my child attends daycare before and/or after school?

Using the Attendance Area Finder, if your daycare is in a transportation zone that indicates "transportation provided," bus transportation will be provided. Please email transportation@isd194.org to request the Annual Request for Transportation From a Daycare Address form.

If the transportation zone information for your daycare indicates "Walker Zone - pay option," bus transportation will be provided only if you choose to pay and register for it per child.

What if I am a new student?

If transportation is provided to the assigned school for the address you moved to, please contact Schmitty and Sons (our contracted bus company) at 952-985-7513 to add your student to a bus route.

If the transportation zone information indicates you live in a “Walker Zone - pay option” you have the option to pay a transportation fee.

How were the Safety Zones created?

The District Transportation Safety Committee developed criteria to designate safety zones. The committee was comprised of Board of Education members, principals, administration, Schmitty & Sons Bus Co., city of Lakeville and Lakeville Police Department officials. The full list of criteria considered during the process can be found in the Lakeville Area Schools Safety Zone Criteria. There is an appeal form attached within the safety zone criteria. Appeals are for safety zone issues only, not for bus stop location requests.

Call Schmitty and Sons Bus Company

Main Dispatch:
952-985-7514

info@schmittyandsons.com
22750 Pillsbury Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044

Most questions regarding Lakeville Area Schools bus service should be addressed directly to Schmitty & Sons Bus Co.

Lakeville Area Schools
transportation@isd194.org
952-232-2030
17630 Juniper Path, Suite A
Lakeville, MN 55044

Other Transportation Information

Attendance Area and Transportation
Zone Search Tool

Lakeville Area Schools Safety Zone Criteria

Weather and Emergency Closures

Here Comes the Bus

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