Frequently Asked Questions

Walk zones are areas where we have designated safe routes for students to walk to and from school. Our established walk zones could require elementary school students to walk up to one (1) mile from their residence to their school. Students in middle or high school may be required to walk up to one and one-half (1.5) miles to school.

In the 2022-23 school year, walk zones were in place for seven schools: Albemarle, Monticello, and Western Albemarle high schools: Henley and Lakeside middle schools; and Hollymead and Woodbrook elementary schools. For the 2023-24 school year, we will expand walk zones at four of these schools: Western Albemarle high School: Henley and Lakeside middle schools; and Hollymead elementary school. Also for the 2023-24 school year, we will establish NEW walk zones at four more schools: Journey middle school, and Brownsville, Crozet, and Mountain View elementary schools.

2023-24 Walk Zones

• Brownsville Elementary School - NEW walk zones
• Crozet Elementary School - NEW walk zones
• Hollymead Middle School - EXPANDED walk zones
• Mountain View Elementary School - NEW walk zones
• Woodbrook Elementary School 
• Henley Middle School - EXPANDED walk zones
• Journey Middle School - NEW walk zones
• Lakeside Middle School - EXPANDED walk zones
• Albemarle High School
• Monticello High School
• Western Albemarle High School - EXPANDED walk zones

Distance is measured from where the driveway or property line of a residence meets the road to the property line of the school. We do not calculate distance from the front door of a residence to the front door of a school. When determining if it is appropriate to include a residence in a walk zone, we also consider the distance from the residence to existing bus stops.

Transportation may be provided temporarily to an area based on the need for improvements to a walk zone, such as sidewalk completion, railings construction, crossing guards placement, etc. When necessary improvements have been satisfied, affected families will be notified and transportation service will discontinue. If improvements are not completed prior to the start of the school year, the change in service shall be postponed until the following school year, unless parents are notified in advance.

 Parents/guardians are responsible for providing supervision that is appropriate for their child’s age and maturity and the conditions of the chosen route. ACPS requires adult supervision for students in preschool and kindergarten and recommends adult supervision for students in all other grade levels. 

Like many school divisions across the state and the country, ACPS continues to be challenged by a bus driver shortage. One way we make the best use of our existing resources is to assign students who live within a safe and reasonable walking distance of their school to a walk zone. This enables us to provide consistent and reliable service to the students who need transportation the most. We continue to work toward expanding safe walking/biking options for students.

Contact Transportation’s routing team at 434-973-5716.

You will receive a letter from Transportation Services indicating that your child has been assigned to a walk zone and will not be eligible for school bus transportation for the 2023-24 school year.