The first day of school will quickly change the daily rhythm of Hightop Ridge.

Judson Independent School District begins the 2026-2027 school year Wednesday, Aug. 12. School buses will return to neighborhood streets, students will gather near assigned stops, and campus traffic will increase throughout Live Oak, Converse, Selma and surrounding communities.

For drivers, the safest response is to leave earlier, reduce speed and put away the phone before reaching a school zone or bus stop.

Campus Hours Vary Across Judson ISD

Judson ISD campuses use school-specific schedules rather than one uniform districtwide bell schedule.

Families should confirm exact arrival, tardy and dismissal times through their individual campus before the first day. As one example, Candlewood STEM Academy lists school hours from 7:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Campus changes may also affect traffic patterns. Drivers should not assume that bus routes, student crossings or neighborhood pickup locations will remain the same as the previous year.

When Must Texas Drivers Stop for a School Bus?

Texas law requires motorists approaching a stopped school bus from either direction to stop when its required warning signal is operating.

Drivers must wait until the bus begins moving, the driver signals them forward or the signal stops operating.

Flashing yellow lights mean slow down and prepare to stop. Flashing red lights and an extended stop arm mean stop completely.

Children may be crossing even when they are not immediately visible.

Does Traffic in Both Directions Have to Stop?

Drivers traveling in both directions generally must stop on ordinary neighborhood streets and undivided multilane roads.

Opposing traffic is exempt only when the school bus is on another roadway separated by a physical median, barrier or intervening space.

A painted center lane should not be treated as permission to continue past a stopped bus.

What Federal School Bus Rules Cover

Federal standards govern the design and equipment of school buses, while Texas law establishes how motorists must respond when a bus stops.

School buses are equipped with warning lights, stop arms, mirrors and other safety features, but those systems depend on surrounding drivers following the law.

Bus Stop Safety Begins Before Pickup

Parents should visit the assigned stop with younger children before Aug. 12.

Students should wait away from the roadway, arrive early and never walk behind the bus. When crossing in front, they should remain visible to the driver and wait for a signal.

Drivers should watch beyond the bus for students approaching from driveways, apartment complexes or the opposite side of the street.

Parents Can Help Make Campus Traffic Safer

Parents should follow their school’s designated traffic pattern and avoid unofficial drop-off locations.

Children should exit on the curb side and should not be directed to run between parked vehicles.

Drivers should keep neighborhood driveways, sidewalks and crosswalks open while waiting in line.

Teenage Drivers Need a First-Week Reminder

Teenage drivers may be navigating a campus parking lot or school route for the first time.

They should allow extra time, maintain additional following distance and keep phones out of reach. Traffic can stop suddenly when buses activate warning lights or parents slow for campus entrances.

Judson ISD Bus Registration Is Required

Judson ISD requires students seeking transportation to register for bus service.

The district advised families to complete bus registration by Aug. 3 to guarantee transportation on the first day of school.

Families should not assume a child will automatically receive a schedule based on prior-year service. Registration and current address information help the district assign routes and stops.

Parents should verify the assigned route before Aug. 12 and establish a plan for delays during the opening week.

First-Week Delays Are Possible

Buses may take longer during the first several days as drivers adjust to traffic, confirm riders and learn updated routes.

Residents should remain patient when a bus is stopped longer than expected. Extra time may be needed to make sure younger students board or exit safely.

A delayed bus is never an invitation to pass while its red lights are flashing.

A Safer School Year Begins on Neighborhood Streets

Back-to-school safety begins in driveways, apartment parking areas and the places where children wait for transportation.

For Hightop Ridge, the return of Judson ISD means more buses, student pedestrians and family vehicles beginning Aug. 12.

The most helpful choices are simple: leave earlier, slow down, stop for buses and give children room to travel safely.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional Judson ISD transportation and school safety updates throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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