Special Needs Related Services

If you have any questions or concerns about your student's transportation needs, please contact the Transportation Scheduling Department at 303-326-1986 x28882.

The APS Department of Transportation is committed to providing the highest level of service and support for students with disabilities. Our goal is to ensure a safe, efficient, professional, and on-time bus route to and from school for all students. This will enhance the positive learning environment for each student on a daily basis.

A parent, guardian or designated adult must meet the bus when driver instructions indicate that the student cannot be left unattended. The responsible adult must be seen at the door of the bus before the student is released.

To fully support our mission, Aurora Public Schools' Transportation team may use third-party private contractors, EverDriven (formerly ALC Schools) and Hop Skip Drive — see below — to provide services to families of students with disabilities, McKinney Vento families and foster families.

For students identified for special needs-related services, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) designation will determine if your child requires transportation. The  Department of Transportation must receive complete and accurate information regarding your student's special needs from the Exceptional Student Services department to ensure safe transportation.

In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all personal information regarding students is strictly confidential.

To report changes regarding your child's information, such as a new address, phone number, etc., please notify Central Admissions and/or the school. Please give five full school days' notice for changes in your child's pick-up or drop-off location to allow time to make scheduling adjustments. Drivers are not permitted to change or modify a bus route. The Scheduling Department must approve all changes. Until such changes can be made, the parent or guardian may be responsible for transporting the student if necessary.

NO ONE HOME PROCEDURE

It is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or person designated by the parent, to meet the bus at the scheduled drop off time each afternoon to take responsibility of the student. Please make certain the school and transportation has your current emergency numbers. Failure of the parent or guardian to have a responsible person meet the bus will be handled in the following manner:

  • The driver will radio the transportation office to report no one is home to receive the student.
  • The dispatcher will attempt to reach a parent or other individual designated in the student information system, Infinite Campus, as the Emergency Contact person.
  • If no contact is made then the student will be transported to the APS Transportation office, located at 160 Airport Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011.
  • An authorized family member or guardian must go to the Transportation office to pick up their student.
  • If the parent or guardian cannot be reached within one hour after the scheduled drop-off time or at 5 p.m., whichever comes first, the Aurora Police Department will be contacted along with the Department of Human Services.

NOTE: Department of Human Services will be notified immediately after the third occurrence.

EverDriven (formerly ALC Schools)

EverDriven (formerly ALC Schools) is an approved vendor Aurora Public Schools uses to transport students. Students are provided the same level of service as a bus, but EverDriven supplements districts' transportation programs using SUVs, mini-vans, wheelchair-accessible vans, and sedans to assist in transporting students with special needs that are outside the coverage area for a regular bus. EverDrvien also supports hard-to-serve out of district and multi-district requirements. We put Safety first, with each driver vetted with background checks through the FBI and Department of Justice, as well as ongoing DMV checks. For more information please visit the EverDriven (formerly ALC Schools) website at everdriven.com.

APS Transportation has worked closely with EverDriven to develop a list of policies and procedures that deliver safe, prompt and professional service.

Hop Skip Drive (HSD)

HopSkipDrive (HSD) is an approved vendor Aurora Public Schools uses to transport students. Students are provided the same level of service as a bus, but HSD supplements districts' transportation programs using SUVs, mini-vans, wheelchair-accessible vans, and sedans to assist in transporting students with special needs that are outside the coverage area for a regular bus. HSD also supports hard-to-serve out of district and multi-district requirements. It has a proven track record you can count on. We use purpose-built, cutting-edge technology to make managing complicated logistics easier and worry-free. We put safety first, from industry-leading driver vetting to our dedicated SafeRides Support team watching over every ride. Safety starts with who's behind the wheel. With a 15-point certification process, we check (and double-check) every box. CareDrivers must have at least five years of caregiving experience, are fingerprinted, and go through FBI and Department of Justice background checks, as well as ongoing DMV checks.

We make it easy for schools to improve outcomes while reducing costs. With HopSkipDrive, we can handle transportation needs with total visibility, flexibility and reliability. For further information on HopSkipDrive, please visit hopskipdrive.com.

APS Transportation has worked closely with HopSkipDrive to develop a list of policies and procedures that deliver safe, prompt, and professional service.