Opening Minds, Bridging Differences, Living Jewish Values.

Transportation

NYC Public School Busing 

Eligible Students: PK - Grade 6
For Divisions: Early Childhood, Lower School and part of Middle School

  • Busing is offered by the New York City Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT), which oversees busing for the public schools and some independent schools.

  • Busing is available to students who live a certain distance from Heschel. (Eligibility Chart).  Eligibility is determined by OPT, using only the student’s home address.  Business addresses may not be used for eligibility:

Grades K - 2- eligible for free transportation if they reside ½ mile or more from their school.
Grades 3 – 6- eligible for free transportation if they reside one mile or more from their school.
Grades 7 – 12- eligible for free fare privileges on public transit facilities if they reside 1 1/2 miles or more from school. 

  • Students may only begin to ride the bus when they have turned five years old. Pre-Kindergarten students may only ride the bus if they have turned five years old by December 31st of the current school year. 

  • Age Factor:  Please know that, as a student gets older, there may be changes to eligibility, based on OPT calculations.

  • Busing is only available in the mornings for arrival, and in the afternoon for dismissal.  There is no busing available after the After School program.

 

MetroCards

  • Eligible Students: K - Grade 12 (For Divisions: Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School and High School)
  • MetroCards are available to students in Grades Kindergarten through 12 pending eligibility determined by OPT.
  • MetroCards are only available to students who live in the five boroughs.
  • Students may only receive a MetroCard or bus service. They cannot use both services.
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Private School Busing to/from New Jersey

  • Eligible Students: Grades 9-12 (For Divisions: High School only)
  • The New Jersey  buses are contracted with Rainbow Transportation Inc.
  • The New Jersey bus is available to High School students who live in Northern New Jersey.
  • Busing service is door to door.

  • There is a yearly fee for the five days per week round trip.

Private School Busing to/from Washington Heights/Riverdale

  • Eligible Students: Grades N-5 (For Divisions: Early Childhood/Lower School)
  • Washington Heights/Riverdale bus is contracted with Super Selby, Inc.
  • Car seats for 3 year olds included and available for other ages on request.

  • There is a yearly fee for the five days per week round trip.