For many students with disabilities across New York City, the school year does not end in June. Extended school year programs, commonly known as ESY, provide continued special education services through the summer months for students whose IEPs determine that a break in services would result in significant regression. For these students and their families, ESY is not optional enrichment. It is a continuation of the educational and therapeutic support that the school year provides, and it carries the same legal entitlements, including transportation, that apply during the regular academic calendar.

Understanding how extended school year transportation works in New York City, what families are entitled to, and what to expect from a professional transportation provider is important information for parents, caregivers, and school administrators who are planning for the summer session. Leesel Transportation has been providing special needs and school bus transportation across all five boroughs of New York City for over 40 years, and ESY transportation is a consistent and important part of how we serve the students and families who depend on us.

What Is Extended School Year Transportation

When a student’s IEP includes transportation as a related service, that entitlement extends to ESY programming. The student is entitled to the same type of transportation during the summer program that their IEP specifies during the regular school year. For students who receive door-to-door yellow bus service during the academic year, that same service applies during ESY. For students with specific accommodations, such as air-conditioned vehicles, limited travel time, or specialized equipment, those accommodations carry over into the summer session as well.

For families in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island whose children receive ESY services, understanding this entitlement is the first step in ensuring that transportation is properly arranged before the summer program begins. Schools and district offices play an important role in coordinating transportation for ESY students, and families who communicate their needs early give administrators the time needed to build accurate routes and confirm service before the program start date.

Our about page covers our history of serving New York City students and families, including our long-standing work with students with disabilities across the five boroughs.

Why Consistency Matters for ESY Students

For students with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum or those who rely heavily on routine and predictability, consistency in transportation is not simply a convenience. It is a genuine support for the student’s ability to engage with the program and manage the transitions that the school day requires. A familiar driver, a familiar vehicle, and a familiar route reduce anxiety and help students arrive at their program ready to participate rather than unsettled by unfamiliar conditions.

Leesel Transportation understands this deeply. Our drivers are trained to work with students across a wide range of disabilities and needs, and our approach to special needs transportation is built around the kind of consistent, patient, and attentive service that makes a real difference for the students we serve. When families and schools choose to continue with the same transportation provider for ESY that they use during the regular school year, that continuity benefits students directly.

For schools coordinating ESY transportation, working with a provider who already knows the students on their routes removes a significant source of uncertainty from the summer planning process. Learn more about the charter and transportation services we provide across New York City on our charters page.

What Families Should Do Before ESY Begins

Families whose children receive transportation as an IEP service should take several steps before the extended school year program begins to ensure that service is properly arranged and confirmed.

First, confirm with your child’s school or district office that transportation has been requested and is included in the summer program plan. ESY transportation does not always carry over automatically, and families who assume service has been arranged without confirming it directly sometimes discover close to the program start date that a route has not been built.

Second, confirm the pickup and drop off details for the summer session. ESY programs are sometimes held at different locations than the regular school year program, which means routes and timing may differ from what families are used to. Getting those details confirmed in advance gives families accurate information and reduces the likelihood of confusion on the first day of the program.

Third, communicate any changes in the student’s needs or accommodations that may have occurred since the regular school year ended. If a student’s IEP has been updated, if medical needs have changed, or if new accommodations have been added, the transportation provider needs that information before the summer session begins in order to serve the student appropriately.

Reach out to our team through our contact page if you have questions about ESY transportation or want to discuss how Leesel can support your child’s summer program.

What Districts Should Know About ESY Transportation Planning

For district transportation coordinators and special education administrators, ESY transportation planning is one of the most time-sensitive parts of the summer calendar. Routes for ESY students often need to be built from scratch or significantly modified from the regular school year because program locations, session times, and student rosters may all differ from the academic year.

Starting that planning process early, communicating clearly with transportation providers about program details and student needs, and confirming that families have received accurate route information before the program begins are all essential steps in a smooth ESY transportation program. Leesel Transportation is experienced in working with NYC schools and districts on exactly this kind of coordination, and our team is ready to support the planning process from route development through daily operations.

Leesel Transportation is proud to be part of the Beacon Mobility family, a network of transportation companies united by a commitment to safety, inclusion, and student-first service across New York City and beyond. Submit your program details through our request a quote page and our team will follow up to discuss how we can support your ESY transportation needs.