Put simply, a Walking School Bus is a group of families that walk to school together in the morning on select dates. All routes have been designed to reach the SPARK Parking Lot on Briarcliff Rd at 7:35am. These routes go along roads with lower speed limits and less vehicular traffic so that the walk or bike ride in is not only safe but pleasant too. 

Do I have to take an entire Walking School Bus route from its starting point?

No, you can join at any point along the route. Consult the route timetables to find a time and place that’s convenient for you. Try to be at a route meet-up point a few minutes early.

Why should I use the Park & Walk area instead of driving my child to the school parking lot?

Believe it or not, you may actually save time parking and walking in with your child rather than driving through the SPARK parking lot!
Many parents are already doing this instead of waiting in the traffic on Briarcliff Rd. We even had GDOT shorten the cycle time for the traffic light at Briarcliff Rd and St. Charles Place during school hours to make it more convenient for families to cross Briarcliff Rd.
SPARK’s Park & Walk area is on St. Charles Place and St. Augustine Place, two streets that are just north of Ponce de Leon Ave. For parents that drive, park on either street and then walk the quarter mile distance to SPARK. The walk from there only takes 5 minutes, including the time to cross Briarcliff Rd at St. Charles Place.

Do I need to walk or bike in with my child on a Walking School Bus route?

Yes, we are asking all parents and guardians to accompany their children on the way to school. This way all children can safely make their way to school and no adult will feel overwhelmed being in charge of a large group of kids.

Will a Walking School Bus still happen even if it rains?

The Walking School Bus routes will happen unless it is raining very heavily. Please bring an umbrella and raincoat if you are concerned about inclement weather.

My child usually takes the bus in the morning, and I don’t have time to walk in. Why should I consider walking or biking
instead?

Most SPARK families are within 1.5 miles of school, a short enough distance to conveniently walk or bike. By choosing to walk to school, you’ll get to be part of the SPARK community, will have more quality time with your child in the morning, and will be getting exercise at the same time! Many families will also be able to sleep a little later because the Walking School Bus meet-up times are later than bus pick-up times. Plus, research shows that children who walk or bike to school are more alert and ready to learn, even having increased concentration levels for up to four hours. They’re healthier too because they are getting more physical exercise and are more engaged with their streets and neighborhoods.