NSSD 112 is committed to providing, safe, efficient, and reliable transportation to our students. The District has a partnership with First Student Transportation to provide bus service to students. Other services related to transporting students to and from school, including students with special needs, are also provided within the District.
Who to Call With Urgent Questions
- District Transportation Office (224-765-3011): Call here for any time-sensitive questions about bus service, including late buses, driver concerns, or general bus operations. The office can also help with changing a bus stop, checking transportation eligibility, school boundaries, and district transportation policies and procedures.
- FirstAlt (833-200-6808): Families of students who use FirstAlt should call this number directly for urgent needs.
Frequently Asked Transportation Questions
Transportation Concern Form
For non-urgent but still important concerns, families can use our new transportation concern form to notify the district. This form helps ensure we follow up on all issues and maintain a clear chain of communication. It will be monitored regularly.
Eligibility and Fees
Free transportation is provided for K-8 students who:
- Live 1.5 miles or more from their assigned school, or
- Live less than 1.5 miles from school but walking is considered a serious safety hazard, as determined by the Illinois Department of Transportation (you can find the approved safety hazard zones for the 2025-2026 school year in the "Safety Hazard Zone" section below)
Students not eligible for free transportation:
- May be allowed to ride the bus if there is an available route and open space
- Need to contact the Transportation Office to confirm availability
- Would pay a $495 transportation fee for the school year if approved
Early Childhood
All Early Childhood students, regardless of their location, are eligible for free bus transportation.
Route Information
Students who are eligible for free transportation will receive a letter 10 days prior to the start of the school year. The letter will provide the pickup and drop off locations and times.
Bus and van information can also be found on the Parent Portal within Infinite Campus. Search for
your student, and under the Transportation tab, you can view the bus number, bus stop location,
and pickup times.
Student Transportation Request:
Bus routes are created based on the student’s home address, unless an alternate location has been received no later than July 1.
Transportation Request Forms:
Note: If the pickup and drop off location is the student's home address, there is no need to submit a transportation form.
Different Pick-Up or Drop-Off Location:
Any transportation request for a pickup and/or drop off location different than the home address for the following school year must be received no later than July 1. In order to maintain continuity, bus routes may not be altered during the first two weeks of the school year. If no request is received, the student’s home address will be used to establish the route.
Safety Hazard Zones
IDOT requires the NSSD112 Board to annually approve Serious Safety Hazard Zones.
If you have questions regarding safety hazard zones, please contact the transportation office at 224-765-3011.
The Serious Safety Hazard Zones for the 2025-2026 school year were approved by the Board of Education in May 2025.
View the 2025-2026 Hazard Zones
Student Safety Stop-Arm Camera Program
In accordance with 625 ILCS 5/11-208.9, the district's school buses that operate within the City of Highland Park are equipped with an automated traffic law enforcement system.
Transportation Guidelines
Our updated Transportation Guidelines outline important procedures and eligibility information for general and special education bus services, including student expectations, pickup and drop-off protocols, and how to request transportation.
View the Transportation Guidelines PDF
When There Is A Bus Accident
All school bus accidents must be reported immediately. This includes non-collision type accidents that result in any damage to the bus, injury to the bus driver, or passengers. In case of a bus accident, the driver has been instructed to contact dispatch and the Police Department as quickly as possible. The top consideration is the safety and well-being of all students. The Transportation Office is notified by the driver/contractor as soon as possible. The Superintendent of Schools, School Principal(s), and parents will be notified of the accident through the district's communication system. A designated district staff member will be present at the site to assist, answer, or refer all inquiries, and investigate the accident. If there are no injuries, the students will remain on the bus until the Police have finished the investigation process and authorized students to be released to parents, or the bus can continue its route. During the investigation process at the site, parents will be contacted to keep them informed and ask them if they prefer to pick up their own student(s).
When Buses are Late
If routes are running late, every effort is made to notify parents and guardians by email and text message as promptly as possible. Parents are asked to please notify their child's school office with any changes in contact information.
FirstAlt
FirstAlt, in partnership with First Student, provides both traditional school bus service and alternative transportation options to meet the varied needs of students. This includes customized routes for students with special needs, transportation for out-of-district placements, and solutions for areas that are harder to serve. The program also uses technology to help families and districts track trips in real time and maintain high safety standards.
- FirstAlt Frequently Asked Questions (English)
- FirstAlt Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)
Below is a resource to support drivers with their FirstAlt training. They include key expectations, safety procedures, and requirements to ensure consistency and readiness.
SAFETY HAZARD ZONES
IDOT requires the NSSD 112 Board to annually approve Serious Safety Hazard Zones.
If you have questions regarding safety hazard zones, please contact the transportation office at 224-765-3011.
TRANSPORTATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STUDENT SAFETY STOP-ARM CAMERA PROGRAM
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/11-208.9, that the District's school buses operating within the City of Highland Park are equipped with an automated traffic law enforcement system.