Transportation
NWLSD Department of Transportation
This is the transportation website page for the Northwest Local School District. On this page you can link to find information about inclement weather procedures and the requirement for becoming a bus driver. You can also download the Road Code book, which helps distinguish which schools service the different areas of the district. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section includes information about receiving and using bus passes, bus stop locations, bus safety and bus rules and regulations. If you have any questions please contact the transportation office or your student's school.
Download the Transportation Mobile App!
Northwest Local School (NWLSD) will be using Stopfinder, for the upcoming school year. StopFinder is an easy to use, all-in-one mobile app that allows families to have the most accurate information about your student’s bus schedule at any time from anywhere. In addition to displaying your student’s transportation information, Stopfinder features a private messaging feature that will allow you to communicate directly with the NWLSD Transportation Department. You can also create GeoAlerts for your student, which will notify you when the bus has arrived in or departed from any location on your student’s route, including their assigned bus stop and school. GeoAlert Alert Zones can be created for individual students allowing you to customize the Alert Zone based on their bus route.
Stopfinder can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Stopfinder will require an invitation and registration through the district prior to accessing your student’s transportation schedule. Please contact the Department of Transportation by calling 513-825-4600 if you have additional questions.
The email and home address that Northwest Local School District currently has on file, will be used for the StopFinder setup. Please contact your child's school to change to your primary email or home address.
Annual invitations to Parents for new accounts are sent out via email around mid-August. If you have an existing account from a previous year, please utilize the "forgot password" feature within the app to recover your account and setup a new password.
Help setting up the StopFinder App
Parent Quick Start Guide
Locate Your School / Transportation Eligibility
Use link below to find your child's school based on your address. The following link will also let families know if they are eligible for transportation.
2024 -2025 Bus Route Information
2024 - 2025 Bus Information (Cancellation Information)
NWLSD Parents and Guardians,
As we approach the upcoming year, we are putting plans in place to make sure that our staff and students remain safe. Bus safety has always been a priority, we want to make sure that our parents and students are aware of how we plan to move forward with transportation this year.
Our parents are key players in helping to maintain the health and safety of our students. It is important that parents and guardians discuss and go over the safety protocols that we have in place with your child. The more they know surrounding best safety practices, the safer we can keep them. We have included a resource below that parents can use to discuss where to stand at your bus stop, the importance of remaining seated while on the bus, how to wait for a driver's signal before crossing the street, etc. Click the link below to learn more:
Bus Arrival
There is a possibility that buses may occasionally be delayed to school or home, especially the first few weeks of school. Parents can expect the delay to run up to 30 - 40 minutes.
We ask that our parents remain patient as we make every effort to get all of our students to and from school in a safe and timely manner. Our building principals and staff are aware that late arrivals may occur; they will make adjustments for buses that arrive late. As always, we will communicate with our parents to keep them informed when situations occur. Parents are urged to download our StopFinder Mobile App to stay informed about bus pick ups and arrival times. Information about StopFinder is included below.
Seating Charts
Students will be assigned a seat for the duration of the school year. Students will be required to remain seated in their assigned seats on the bus routes to and from school.
How do I find out if my child will have bus service?
NWLSD will continue to offer transportation to students that live outside of a one-mile distance. If you are still unsure of whether your child will receive busing please visit our Where Is My School Tool? link. Type in your address and press Enter the Tool will help you identify which school your child will attend and whether they are eligible for Transportation.
Preschool students will receive bus service ONLY if it is a part of their IEP. Otherwise, parents/guardians will need to bring their children to school for arrival and dismissal.
What can we do to stay current on information?
We will continue to update our website with any and all changes as we get closer to school starting. Please check for updates frequently. To visit our website go to: NWLSD.org
How will I know if my child’s bus will arrive on time?
Northwest Local School District (NWLSD) will be using our parent app, Stopfinder, for the upcoming school year. StopFinder is an easy to use, all-in-one mobile app that allows families to have the most accurate information about your student’s bus schedule at any time from anywhere. In addition to displaying your student’s transportation information, Stopfinder features a private messaging feature that will allow you to communicate directly with the NWLSD Transportation Department. You can also create GeoAlerts for your student, which will notify you when the bus has arrived in or departed from any location on your student’s route, including their assigned bus stop and school. GeoAlert Alert Zones can be created for individual students allowing you to customize the Alert Zone based on their bus route.
How Do I Download StopFinder on my phone??
The email and home address that Northwest Local School District currently has on file, will be used for the StopFinder setup. Please contact your child's school to change to your primary email or home address.
Stopfinder can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Stopfinder will require an invitation and registration through the district prior to accessing your student’s transportation schedule. Please contact the Department of Transportation by calling 513-825-4600 if you have additional questions.
Click Here To View Instructions To Download The Stopfinder Mobile App On Your Phone.
Will NWLSD provide crossing guards? Where will they be located and during what times?
Last year we established seven areas where staff crossing guards would be located. This year, we will continue to have these guards in place. Locations and times for each guard are listed below:
West Fork Rd. in front of school: 8:20 am - 8:50 am; 3:50 - 4:00 pm
West Kemper Rd. / Wincanton Dr.:
(PRM) : 6:50 am - 7:20 am; 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
(PRE) : 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Pippin Rd. / Cranbrook Dr.:
(PRM): 6:50 am - 7:20 am; 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
(PRE): 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Banning Rd. / Memory Ln.: 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Memory Ln. / Jonrose Ave.: 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Springdale to school entrance: 8:20 am - 8:50 am; 3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
Jessup Rd. / Sprucewood Dr.: 6:50 am - 7:20 am; 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
Payments In Lieu of Transportation Certification part 2
PIL Applications are available until May 2, 2024. Payment in Lieu is for schools the Board has deemed impractical to transport to the non-public school chosen by the parent. The PIL of Transportation Certification part 2 must be completed by May 2, 2024. Select link under Resources.