private school transportation at SCH Academy

SCH's regional reach

Students from over 100 zip codes come to SCH's 62-acre campus in Chestnut Hill. Since SCH is located within Philadelphia, it is easily reached by a number of transportation options, including free public school district buses, SEPTA regional rail, and a Center City SCHuttle (see details below).

Having SCH Academy one block from SEPTA's regional rail St. Martin's West Line is huge. It has taught my 8th grader to be more independent and frees up my time in the morning.

CENTER CITY PARENT of Middle School Student

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS at sch academy

School Bus

The following public school districts will bus students who are in grades K-12 and live within a 10-mile radius of SCH: Abington, Cheltenham, Colonial, Hatboro-Horsham, Haverford, Lower Merion, Lower Moreland, Norristown Area, Radnor, Springfield (Montco), Upper Dublin, Upper Merion, Upper Moreland, Wissahickon.

If you live in Philadelphia, eligibility is based on mileage, grade level of student, and location. Bus transportation is typically provided for students in 1st through 6th grade who live 1.5 to 10 miles from SCH. Students in 7th through 12th grade who live 1.5 to 10 miles from SCH are eligible for free Student TransPass for multiple bus, subway, or trolley lines (not valid for SEPTA Regional Rail, although they may be exchanged for a discounted weekday train pass). Additionally, if you live in select, downtown sections of Philadelphia, see our Center City Van option for downtown transit options.

SEPTA Bus & Train

Located on Willow Grove Avenue in Chestnut Hill, SCH is within walking distance for older students who choose to take SEPTA buses or trains to and from school.

Bus: The closest bus stop (Germantown & Willow Grove Avenues) is about a 12-minute walk from campus.
Train: Chestnut Hill West Line—serving Mt. Airy, Germantown, and Center City—with a stop at St. Martin’s Station is about a 5-minute/one block walk from the school. PLEASE NOTE: CHW line offers a new schedule (PDF). Please refer to the SEPTA St. Martins stop for regional rail information.

Monthly SEPTA TransPasses are available for students who qualify (application/form must be filled out). These passes may be used on the SEPTA buses at no charge or exchanged at the Regional Rail for a discounted weekday train pass.

Questions about District Busing, the Flat Rate Program and the Public School District Bus Transportation Request form may be directed to:
Carol Allison, Transportation Coordinator; callison@sch.org or # 215-754-1602 x1145

CARPOOLING

City SCHuttle

SCH is pleased to offer our families a SCHuttle option for those students living in zip codes: 19103, 19106, 19107, 19123, 19130, 19146, and 19147.

Transportation will be provided by Kid Ridez, a safe, honest, and reliable driving service with multiple safety protocols to give families peace of mind—real-time tracking, phone notifications, certified drivers, and more. They will run pick-up and drop-off from four hubstops in the city. Hubstops will be customized once we learn the addresses of those families interested in the service and designed to service the greatest number of families possible while attempting to mitigate en-route ride time.

Fast Facts about the SCHuttle:

Zip Codes: The SCHuttle will serve SCH students in grades Pre-K - 12 living in zip codes: 19103, 19106, 19107, 19123, 19130, 19146, and 19147.
Hubstops: Drop-off and Pick-up will be located at up to four (4) Center City “Hubstops”. (Route locations and times are TBD, based on the addresses/locations of enrolled SCHuttle students.)
Times: SCHuttle arrives at SCH daily by 7:50 AM | Departs SCH daily at 4:30 PM; times for pick-up and drop-off along the route will be provided over summer 2023.
SCHuttle Home Base: The SCHuttle will arrive and depart from SCH’s main Cherokee Parking Lot (drop-offs or pick-ups will not be honored at any other campus location).
Round-trip Required: One-way or partial service is NOT currently offered.
Care for Afternoon Riders: LS and MS students not engaged in after school activities will be provided a monitored and engaging space from dismissal time until SCHuttle's departure at 4:30 PM.
Incentive for SCHuttle Families: The Philadelphia School District offers enrollment in the “Flat Rate Program” which reimburses parents up to $300.00 a month for providing their own transportation. Your participation in the SCHuttle renders you eligible to enroll in this program if your students are entering grades 1-6 ONLY. To enroll, select the Flat Rate option in this Public School District Bus Transportation Request Form.

Questions? Please refer to our SCHuttle FAQ HERE or contact:
Heather Murphy, Director of Auxiliary and Special Programs
hmurphy@sch.org or # 215-247-7940