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Safe Routes to School

The goal of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is to make it easier, safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable for kids to walk and bike to school.
Page updated on February 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM

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About Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a program that promotes walking and bicycling to school through infrastructure improvements, enforcement, safety education, and incentives to encourage walking and bicycling to school.

With over 150,000 people living in a compact city (about 15 square miles), Alexandria provides an ideal environment for walking and bicycling since so many families live close to their neighborhood elementary schools. Alexandria has had a formal Safe Routes to School program since 2003 when we participated in our first annual International Walk to School Day. The City has also been making streets near schools more pedestrian-friendly for many years.

An individual walking across a crosswalk to Charles Barrett Elementary School
sheriff directing traffic with kids in crosswalk
Photo of child and adult in crosswalk on way to school
sheriff directing traffic with kids in crosswalk
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An individual walking across a crosswalk to Charles Barrett Elementary School
sheriff directing traffic with kids in crosswalk
Photo of child and adult in crosswalk on way to school
sheriff directing traffic with kids in crosswalk

Planning for Safe Routes to School

In 1969, about 89 percent of children who lived within one mile of school walked or biked to school. In 2009, that number was 35 percent. Increasing the proportion of children walking and biking to school requires communities to be proactive about encouraging walking and biking as a way of getting from place to place. That's why the City of Alexandria has been continuously implementing programs and projects to encourage more walking and biking to school.

Infographic noting the benefits of walking and biking to school, including: happier, healthier kids; better grades; cleaner air; safer streets; less traffic; cost savings; and fun!

School Walk Audits

To increase safety for students walking and biking to school, and to encourage more students to walk and bike, the City develops Safe Routes to School plans, also referred to as "walk audits" for each school.

SRTS Walk Audit Reports, Phase 1 (2017)

  • Charles Barrett Elementary School
  • Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
  • Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
  • George Mason Elementary School
  • James K. Polk Elementary School (Pilot)
  • Jefferson-Houston School
  • John Adams Elementary School
  • Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy
  • Naomi Brooks (formerly Matthew Maury) Elementary School
  • Mount Vernon Community School
  • Patrick Henry Elementary School
  • Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School
  • William Ramsay Elementary School

SRTS Walk Audits, Phase 2 (2023)

Visit the Phase 2 Walk Audits project page for more information. 

  • Alexandria City High School
  • Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School
  • Francis C. Hammond Middle School
  • George Washington Middle School

Projects

Current Projects

  • William Ramsay Safe Routes to School Project
  • School Zone Speed Cameras
  • Curb Extensions Near Schools
  • Braddock Road Trail Access & Corridor Improvements
  • King Street Access and Safety Improvements at ACHS
  • Ongoing Spot Improvements

Completed Projects

  • Safe Routes to School Walk Audits Phase 2 (Ferdinand Day Elementary, Hammond Middle, George Washington Middle, Alexandria City High School)
  • Polk Avenue Sidewalk Safe Routes to School Project (Polk Elementary & Hammond Middle)
  • Rayburn-Reading Avenues Complete Streets Project (John Adams Elementary)
  • Commonwealth Avenue Complete Streets Project (Naomi Brooks Elementary)
  • North Beauregard Street and Morgan Street Intersection Improvements (Ramsay Elementary)
  • North Jordan Street and North Howard Street (Patrick Henry School)
  • Russell Road, High Street, and Monroe Avenue (Naomi Brooks Elementary)
  • Mt. Vernon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and Hume Avenue (Mt. Vernon Elementary School)
  • Pedestrian safety improvements at Charles Barrett Elementary School
  • Speed cushions, median island, and crosswalk improvements at Maury Elementary School
  • Pedestrian countdown timers and curb ramps at Hammond Middle School
  • Bicycle lanes near George Mason, MacArthur and Mount Vernon Elementary Schools
  • A median refuge, signal improvements and new, accessible pedestrian signals at Mount Vernon School
  • Sidewalk concept development and alternatives for Cambridge Drive near MacArthur Elementary
  • Intersection reconstruction at Monticello Ave and Cameron Mills Blvd near George Mason Elementary
  • Intersection reconstruction at Reed Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue near Cora Kelly Elementary 
  • Median islands, sidewalk and crosswalks near Polk Elementary
  • Speed cushions and crossing improvements on Monticello Blvd near George Mason Elementary
  • Citywide flashing school zone signs

Annual Report and Work Plan

Each year, the City develops an annual report and work plan for the Safe Routes to School Program. The annual work plan is based on the Complete Streets Five-Year Plan. Click the reports below to learn more.

FY 2024 Annual Report and FY 2025 Work Plan

Learn More

FY 2023 Annual Report and FY 2024 Work Plan

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a walk audit?

A walk audit is an evaluation of walking and biking conditions near schools. Walk audits are performed during either the time of arrival or dismissal of students and help to assess the condition of sidewalks, crosswalks, signs, and behavior of students, parents and commuters that use the corridors used by students to get to school. One objective of a walk audit is to identify and document factors that hinder students from walking or bicycling to school. Some of these hindrances include, but are not limited to the width of sidewalks, volume of traffic, street signs and lighting, availability of bicycle lanes and topography. 

Information recorded from a walk audit will be used to inform and prioritize future infrastructure improvement plans through the Complete Streets program. Improvements may include curb extensions, traffic calming, crossings, or better wayfinding to schools along accessible routes.

Who is involved in walk audits?

A walk audit is performed by a multidisciplinary group to examine conditions. This group includes trained professionals, engineers, planners, pedestrian and bicycle specialists, school administration, volunteers, and parents.

What is the purpose of a walk audit?

The purpose of a walk audit is to identify and record concerns for students as they walk or bike to school. Information recorded from the audit will be used to inform and prioritize future infrastructure improvement plans through the Complete Streets program. Improvements may include curb extensions, traffic calming, crossings, or better wayfinding to schools along accessible routes.  Programmatic recommendations to increase safe walking and biking to schools will also be included in the final reports and will be considered for implementation by ACPS.

How is the Safe Routes to School program funded?

The Safe Routes to School Program is funded in the City's Capital Improvement Program. Additional funding may be available through regional, state, and federal grants.

Does the Safe Routes to School Program include crossing guards?

Crossing guards are an important element of providing safe routes for kids to walk or bike to school. The City's crossing guard program is managed by the Alexandria Police Department.

Additional Resources

ACPS Logo

Alexandria City Public Schools

Virginia SRTS

Virginia Safe Routes to School Program

National Center for Safe Routes to School Logo

National Center for Safe Routes to School

Contact

Visit Alex311 to contact staff with questions or comments about the Safe Routes to School Program.

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