Clarification of Which Students Are Afforded Bussing in Our District

Elementary Level

As mandated by law, Franklin Township Public Schools offers free transportation to and from school, to all students in Grades K-5 who reside beyond two miles from the school which they attend.   

Additionally, our district offers transportation to all of our elementary students in Grades Pre-K-5 - that is all students in our seven elementary schools.

Secondary Level

As mandated by law, Franklin Township Public Schools offers free transportation to and from school, to all students in Grades 6-8 who reside beyond two miles from the school which they attend.   

As further mandated by law, Franklin Township Public Schools offers free transportation to and from school, to all students in Grades 9-12 who reside beyond 2.5 miles from the school which they attend.   

Additionally, there are some areas in Town which have been deemed "hazardous areas for the purposes of transportation". 

What makes an area hazardous?  Things that may be considered in determining what is a hazardous area include: population density; traffic volume; average vehicle velocity, existence or absence of sidewalk space; roads and highways that are winding or have blind curves; roads and highways with steep inclines and declines; drop offs that are in close proximity to a sidewalk; bridges or overpasses that must be crossed to reach the school; and busy roads or highways that must be crossed to reach the school. The district works in conjunction with municipal officials in determining the criteria necessary for the designation of a hazardous route.

The areas surrounding Franklin High School are deemed hazardous for purposes of transportation, so the district also offers buses to students who reside within the 2.5 mile limit.

Some of the areas located within two miles of the Sampson G. Smith Campus have also been deemed hazardous for purposes of transportation, so buses are offered for those students as well.

Summary

All of the students at the elementary level, Grades Pre-K-5 are offered transportation.

All of the students at Franklin High School, Grades 9-12, are offered transportation.

All of the students in Grades 6-8 who reside beyond two miles from their middle school campus, are offered transportation.

The students in Grades 6-8 who attend the Sampson G. Smith Campus and who reside in an area within two miles of that campus which has been deemed hazardous for purposes of transportation, are offered transportation.

Non-Transport Area Students 

That leaves, the students in Franklin Middle School - Hamilton Street Campus who reside within two miles of the Hamilton Street Campus and the students in the Franklin Middle School - Sampson G. Smith Campus who reside within two miles of the Sampson G. Smith Campus and who do not reside in a "hazardous area". 

That group of students reside in a non-transport area.  That means those families must provide their own transportation to/from school.  This could mean that someone drops the student off/picks the student up or that he/she walks to school.

Taking the Late Bus from Afterschool Activities

Once afterschool activities begin, any student at either middle school campus, even those who reside in a non-transport area, who stays for an afterschool activity, clubs and teacher office hours, but not Athletics, can take a late bus home.  These activities are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's during the school year.

Students who participate in Athletics after school, at either middle school campus and at the high school, are not offered transportation.  Therefore, the families of those students must arrange for transportation after practice or a competition.  

If you have a specific question about transportation for your child, please contact the Transportation Office at 732-828-6620.