Transportation & Bus Information
2026–2027 School Year
Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities is committed to providing safe, reliable, and orderly transportation for eligible students. Our school transportation services are provided in partnership with Greatlake Transportation.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. Students, families, school staff, and transportation personnel all share responsibility for creating a safe and respectful transportation experience.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation is available to eligible Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities students based on established routes, available stops, transportation eligibility, and bus capacity.
Families will receive their student's assigned bus information, including the bus route, stop location, and estimated pickup and drop-off times, from the school.
Bus routes, stops, and times may be adjusted during the school year when necessary. Families will be notified of significant transportation changes whenever possible.
Parent and Guardian Responsibilities
Parents and guardians are responsible for:
- Ensuring their child arrives at the assigned bus stop on time.
- Ensuring their child can safely travel to and from the assigned bus stop.
- Reviewing bus safety rules and expectations with their child.
- Keeping the school informed of current phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contacts.
- Informing the school promptly if there is a change of address that may affect transportation.
- Making appropriate arrangements for their child after the student is dropped off.
- Communicating transportation concerns or requested changes directly to the school.
Parents should have students at their assigned bus stop approximately 5–10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
Kindergarten–Grade 2 Drop-Off
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 must have a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult present at the assigned bus stop when the student is dropped off.
The authorized adult should be visible and available to receive the student when the bus arrives.
If an authorized adult is not present, the student will remain on the bus and be returned to Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities. The school will contact the parent or guardian to arrange pickup from school.
Parents and guardians are responsible for keeping their contact information and authorized pickup information current with the school.
Student Responsibilities at the Bus Stop
Students must:
- Respect neighboring homes, businesses, and property.
- Use safe and respectful behavior while waiting.
- Wait until the bus has completely stopped and the driver has opened the door before approaching.
- Board the bus calmly and one student at a time.
- Follow all instructions provided by the bus driver or authorized school staff.
Student Conduct on the Bus
All school behavior expectations continue to apply while students are riding school transportation.
Students are expected to:
- Follow the driver's directions promptly and respectfully.
- Remain seated while the bus is moving.
- Sit facing forward and use an assigned seat when one is provided.
- Keep hands, feet, and personal belongings to themselves.
- Keep aisles and emergency exits clear.
- Keep their head, arms, hands, and belongings inside the bus.
- Use respectful and appropriate language.
- Maintain an appropriate noise level so the driver can safely operate the bus.
- Treat the bus, seats, equipment, driver, and other passengers with respect.
- Keep personal belongings secured in a backpack or safely contained.
- Follow all school expectations regarding safety, respectful behavior, prohibited items, and appropriate use of technology.
Serious safety violations may result in disciplinary action consistent with school policy.
Exiting the Bus
Students must remain seated until the bus has completely stopped.
When exiting, students should:
- Exit calmly and in an orderly manner.
- Follow the driver's directions.
- Allow other students appropriate space when exiting.
- Move safely away from the bus after exiting.
- Cross the street only when permitted and after following the driver's safety instructions.
Parents and guardians are responsible for arrangements for their child after the child exits the bus at the assigned stop, including complying with the Kindergarten–Grade 2 drop-off requirements described above.
Assigned Buses and Bus Stops
For student safety and accountability, students should use their assigned bus and assigned bus stop.
Any requested change to a student's bus or stop should be coordinated and approved through the school.
Transportation Change Requests
Families requesting a change to a student's transportation arrangement should contact the school at least 24 hours in advance.
Requests should include:
- Student's full name
- Grade
- Current bus or stop, if known
- Requested change
- Effective date of the requested change
- Parent/guardian name
- Current telephone number
Requests will be reviewed based on route availability, location, safety considerations, and bus capacity.
Families should continue with the student's current transportation arrangement until confirmation of the requested change is provided by the school.
Transportation Change Process
Transportation changes should be submitted at least 24 hours in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.
Parents or guardians should submit transportation change requests to:
Faiza Jama
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-354-2490
The request should include the student's full name, grade, requested transportation change, effective date, and a telephone number where the parent or guardian can be reached.
The school will review the request and provide confirmation once the transportation change has been coordinated.
Changes of Address
Families must promptly notify the school when their home address changes.
A change of address may require a new bus assignment or stop. Families are encouraged to notify the school as early as possible so transportation arrangements can be coordinated.
Delays and Transportation Updates
Bus arrival times are estimates and may be affected by traffic, weather, road conditions, mechanical issues, student loading times, or other circumstances.
Families should monitor school communication channels for transportation announcements and significant delays.
If a significant delay or transportation issue occurs, the school will communicate with affected families when possible.
Bus Safety and Emergency Situations
Students must follow all emergency instructions provided by the bus driver or school personnel.
In the event of an accident, mechanical problem, severe weather event, or other transportation emergency, the school and transportation provider will follow applicable safety and emergency procedures.
Parents and guardians should keep their contact information current so they can be reached when necessary.
Bus Conduct and Disciplinary Action
Transportation is part of the school environment, and students are expected to follow school rules while riding the bus.
When transportation expectations are not followed, the school may take appropriate action based on the seriousness, frequency, and circumstances of the behavior.
Responses may include:
- Verbal reminder of expectations
- Assigned seating
- Parent or guardian communication
- Student conference
- Behavior or transportation safety plan
- Temporary suspension of bus privileges, when permitted by applicable law and school policy
- Additional school disciplinary action when appropriate
The school will consider the circumstances of each incident and applicable student rights when determining transportation-related disciplinary action.
Students with IEP Transportation Services
Students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) includes specialized transportation services will receive transportation in accordance with their IEP.
When a student's IEP requires hand-to-hand transportation, the student will be transferred directly between authorized adults at each stage of transportation.
For morning transportation:
- A parent, guardian, or other authorized adult will personally bring the student to the bus and transfer the student directly to the bus driver.
- When the bus arrives at Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities, a paraprofessional or other designated school staff member will receive the student directly from the bus driver and accompany the student into the school.
When applicable, the same direct handoff procedure will be followed for transportation from school to home, consistent with the student's IEP and individual transportation plan.
Any disciplinary action that may affect transportation provided through a student's IEP will be reviewed with the appropriate special education staff. The school will follow the student's IEP and applicable state and federal special education requirements when determining transportation arrangements.
Damage to Transportation Property
Students are expected to respect buses and transportation equipment.
Families may be held responsible, consistent with applicable school policy and law, for intentional damage caused by a student to a school bus or transportation property.
Bullying and Harassment
Students are expected to treat one another respectfully during transportation. School policies regarding bullying, harassment, intimidation, threats, and discriminatory conduct apply on school transportation.
Students should report concerns to the bus driver, teacher, administrator, or another trusted school staff member.
Transportation Provider
Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities partners with Greatlake Transportation to provide student transportation services.
Transportation questions, concerns, requests, and changes should be directed to Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities using the contact information below.
School Transportation Contact
Faiza Jama
Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-354-2490
Address: 7735 2nd Ave S Richfield, MN 55423
Transportation Questions or Concerns
Families may contact the school regarding:
- Bus eligibility
- Bus or route assignments
- Bus stop questions
- Transportation changes
- Address changes
- Missing or delayed buses
- Student conduct concerns
- Safety concerns
- Lost items
- Other transportation questions
We appreciate the cooperation of our families and students in helping Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities maintain safe, respectful, and dependable transportation for our school community.