Getting your child to and from school shouldn’t be a barrier to choosing Catholic education. In Wisconsin, students attending private schools – including Catholic schools – may be eligible for busing or transportation reimbursement if certain requirements are met. These provisions, grounded in the Wisconsin State Constitution and state statutes, vary based on where you live and which school your child attends.
This page will help you understand the basic eligibility guidelines for transportation assistance, including school attendance area rules, public school district requirements, and rural exceptions. Because each case is unique, we encourage families to contact their local Catholic school for specific information about transportation options available in their area. Return
General Information and Requirements
School Transportation
According to the Wisconsin State Constitution, students attending private schools qualify for busing or a transportation reimbursement if they meet certain requirements. All requirements are specified by the statutes of the State of Wisconsin.
Requirements:
The student must live at least a minimum distance from the school s/he is attending. This distance is specified by the local public school board of education. Please call the local public school district for this information.
According to state statute, the student MUST live within the attendance area of the Catholic school that s/he is attending. This is particularly important in urban areas where there are several Catholic schools. For example, if a student lives in the St. Maria Goretti attendance area, attends St. Maria Goretti, and meets the first requirement, then that student would qualify for busing or reimbursement. However, if the student lives in the Our Lady Queen of Peace attendance area but attends St. Maria Goretti that student would NOT qualify for busing or reimbursement. If you are unsure of which attendance area you reside in, call the Catholic school.
Generally, you must reside in the same public school district in which the Catholic school you are attending is located. However, if you live in a different public school district (usually occurs in rural areas), you may still qualify for a transportation reimbursement if the Catholic school you attend is not more than 5 miles distant (as measured along the usually travelled route) from the border of the school district in which you reside and the school district in which the Catholic school is located.
If you have questions, please call your local Catholic school to determine your eligibility for busing.