Transportation
Transportation Services
Transportation Services is staffed by professionals serving and supporting our students and families. Drivers and office staff are dedicated to providing safe, secure and reliable transportation to qualified students. We serve more than 800 bus stop locations within our community each school day. Bus stops and routes are designed with consideration of safety, efficiency, route and cost efficiency, and shortest overall ride times. Our goal is your student's safe daily journey to and from school.
To register for transportation, fill out this form and drop it off at your child's school's main office.
Who to Call and When:
When your child will not be riding the bus, if the bus is more than five minutes late, or for lost and found information, contact Monarch Bus Service at 612-843-0118. To request a bus stop change or to address concerns about bus safety, contact Columbia Heights Transportation at 763-528-4424.
The Columbia Heights Public Schools (CHPS) School Board approved free school bus service for all CHPS enrolled kindergarten students living within their elementary school boundary area.
Learn more about late activity buses.
Guidelines for Non-Public Transportation Reimbursements
Key Transportation Laws and Rules:
School transportation in Minnesota is primarily governed by Minnesota Statute 123B.88, which outlines school board authority over routes, student eligibility, and safety rules.
- Distance Eligibility: School boards in Minnesota are required to provide transportation to students who live 2 miles or more from their school.
- Columbia Heights Public Schools transports students who live less than the 2-mile requirement. For students living within the school district boundaries, all Kindergarten students are offered school district transportation; elementary grades 1-5 who live beyond 0.75 miles are offered transportation; and secondary students in grades 6-12 who live beyond 1.25 miles are offered transportation.
- Nonpublic Students: Under Minnesota Statute 123B.86, districts must provide equal transportation to students attending nonpublic schools located within district boundaries if they meet the same distance standards as public school students.
- Bus Rules & Discipline: Per Minnesota Statute 121A.59, riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right, and eligibility can be revoked for policy violations without triggering formal suspension laws. More information can be found in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
- School Bus Safety Training is determined by MN State Statute 123B.90
PreK 4 Busing:
We only bus Special Education, and preschool midday routes are door-to-door. If a student is PreK 4 AM, they take the corner bus stop in the morning and then, going home at midday, they get a house stop. For PreK 4 PM, they get a midday bus at their home address and then ride home to the closest corner stop. PreK Full Day is always at the closest corner stop as it is on a big bus instead of a special education bus. Kindergarteners do not get house stops unless it is a safety concern but are typically bused to the closest corner stop available.
Funding for Transportation:
9% ($6.6 Million) of the General Fund for CHPS is committed to funding for student transportation.
School Board Policies related to Transportation:
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ANNOUNCEMENT: Busing During Winter Months
Please be aware that buses may be delayed in picking up or dropping off students due to winter weather and road conditions. If you have concerns about your child’s busing, please get in touch with Columbia Heights Transportation at 763-528-4424.
MyStop is a web-based application available to parents and students that allows them access to live bus GPS information. Using a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, parents and students can view the current location of buses on routes and the estimated time of arrival at their neighborhood bus stops.
Bryan Hennekens
Director of Finance & Operations
Director of Finance & Operations
Boundary Maps
The school you will attend is based on where you live. Review the boundary maps below to see what school attendance area you live in.
Would you prefer your student to attend a school other than the one assigned by the attendance area?
Click the links below to view the walking boundary maps:
North Park School for Innovation