How Boston Public Schools Transportation Maps Bus Routes For 20K Students Each Summer

Every school year, the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Transportation Department takes on a complex challenge: mapping 600-plus bus routes to take around 20,000 students to and from school safely, on-time and ready to learn.

With student information continuing to arrive well into the summer, the team has just weeks to turn constantly changing data into an efficient transportation plan. Routes must be finalized by late-August, making careful planning, technology and collaboration essential.

Watch our video to see how BPS maps the way to a successful 2026-27 school year and how technology is helping more students arrive at school on time.

How BPS Facilities Department Prepares Buildings For First Day Of School

Long before students walk through the doors Sept. 8 on the first day of school, Boston Public Schools (BPS) Facilities teams were hard at work preparing school buildings across the City of Boston. 

The effort takes careful planning, teamwork and a whole lot of elbow grease. From classrooms to cafeterias, hallways to auditoriums, Facilities staff worked throughout the summer to make sure our schools are clean, welcoming and ready for students and staff.

Floors are stripped of old wax, thoroughly cleaned and given a fresh finish. Corridors are mopped, washed and buffed, while walls are scrubbed and windows are cleaned to brighten up learning spaces. Stairwells receive special attention, too, helping ensure that every part of a school is ready for the year ahead.

Outside, teams care for school grounds, including landscaping and preparing outdoor areas for students and families. Inside, cafeterias, auditoriums and classrooms are cleaned and refreshed in preparation for a new year of learning, connection and community.

This work may happen behind the scenes, but it makes a big difference. Every polished floor, sparkling window and refreshed space helps create a school environment where students can feel welcomed and ready to learn.

Watch the video to see some of the work behind the opening of BPS buildings!

City Year Helps Ready New Mary Lyon Elementary School For Students' Arrival

One of the Boston Public Schools' (BPS) longtime partners has helped shape a beautiful new beginning for the Mary Lyon Elementary School community.

City Year Boston took on a beautification project this summer in Brighton at Lyon Elementary. City Year arranged for 200-plus volunteers from Bain Capital to participate in transformative days of service in July and August. 

With Lyon Elementary moving across the street into the former Mary Lyon Pilot High School in school year 2026-27, BPS contacted City Year to City Year last spring to see if they would be interested in helping support the community in this process. City Year enthusiastically agreed and worked closely with the new Lyon Elementary Principal Jackie Carolan on a project that reflected the school’s commitment to creating a positive and welcoming environment for its students and staff.  

Murals that align with Lyon Elementary's core values highlight the design of the school's new space. Between the paw prints scattered throughout the building to the ROAR (Respect, Optimism, Achievement, Responsibility) mural along the back wall of the cafeteria, the school’s pride is on display for all to see. Students who visit the library will read, learn, and grow under a mural depicting one of Boston’s most iconic sights: the Charles River Esplanade.

Prior to starting their work, City Year volunteers heard from Carolan why the project is so important to the community. “This is a big year for us, at the Lyon,” she explained, “The Lyon was established in 1992 by Dr. Mary Nash. ... She pioneered inclusion in this school before inclusion was a thing. And now we see the district adopting inclusion across all the schools. With our move to the upper building, it gave us the opportunity to add K0 (three-year-old PreK). The work that you will do today will make this building feel like a fresh start, and a really exciting beginning for our school.”

The volunteers also worked hard to beautify the exterior and interior of the building. In addition to painting murals, they built outdoor furniture and packed supply kits for the students.

We are deeply grateful for the support of Bain Capital and City Year. Their time and effort helps ensure Lyon Elementary students, staff and families will return to a welcoming environment that they will call home for years to come.