LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Parents and students of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) are applying for schools for next academic year, but some parents are weighing transportation when deciding on where to apply. 

What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) families are applying to schools for next year 

  • For some families, transportation has been a factor on where to apply   

  • JCPS said it cannot confirm the availability of transportation services for students attending magnet schools or schools outside their zone for next year

  • The district said it will vote on transportation options in early 2024  

Keisha Sutton, a parent in the district, attended JCPS' event that helped parents and students apply to school for 2024-25.

"The process is really easy; they're always welcoming, they're willing to help," Sutton said. "Every time I come in, they are always quick to say, 'What do you need help with?' So the process is really easy. It's very helpful because trying to do it on your own could be confusing."

This year, Sutton has a third- and fourth-grader who attend William H. Perry Elementary. She has to drive them to school every day because they are on a waiting list for a bus.

"I have to miss work in order to get them to school," she said. "I'm supposed to be at work about nine, and they have to be at school at nine. It's a good 15-minute drive after that, so I'm always late. My job worked with me a little bit this year, but I don't know if they will next year."

For the 2024-25 school year, she said she applied to send her children to her home school because of her concerns about transportation. JCPS told parents in a letter they “… cannot confirm the availability of transportation services for students attending magnet schools or schools outside of their zone.”

“If I send them somewhere else, it might be too far, and then that might really make me late for work," Sutton said. "I can't risk that." 

Not all families are concerned about transportation, however. Others applied to schools based on factors such as location and the programs they offer. 

“We live right next to the school that my grandkids go to," said district parent Mary Howard. 

One student based her decision on programs.

"No bus problems at all," JCPS student Rennaja Reeves said. "It's been good." 

Sutton said she hopes her children can get a bus next year but isn’t getting her hopes up.

"We will probably be taking them again because I don't think that waiting list is ever going to go down, to be honest with you," she said. 

The JCPS application period is open until Dec. 22, 2023. According to the district, the only transportation they can guarantee for the 2024-25 school year is for special education students and students attending their resides school. The district said it will vote on transportation options in early 2024.

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