About

Transportation

Our Greater Boston location makes getting to Fessenden a breeze. We’re just 15 minutes from Boston and equally convenient to Cambridge, Brookline, Belmont, Wellesley, Weston, Newton, and other surrounding towns.

By Car
The Fessenden School is located at 250 Waltham Street in West Newton, Massachusetts, and is easily accessible from the Mass Pike or Route 16.
 
By Fessenden Bus Service
Via Local Motion Bus Company, we currently offer bus routes for our students from Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Dorchester, Lexington, Mattapan, Newton, Wellesley, and Winchester. The exact routes may vary from year to year based on the location of the student riders. Options include daily round-trip service as well as morning only or afternoon only. Please contact us for availability of a Fessenden bus in your neighborhood.
Carpool
Many of our families share the drop-off and pick-up duties with other parents in the community. The My Fessy Carpool feature allows you to quickly identify and communicate with potential carpool partners in your neighborhood.

By Public Transportation (Bus & Train)
The Fessenden School is a one-mile walk from the West Newton Commuter Rail Station, and several MBTA bus stops are very close to the school. Click here to see local stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • What bus company does Fessenden use?

    Newton and Braintree-based Local Motion will operate Fessenden's buses during the 2015-2016 school year. Local Motion is among the largest local bus services and is used by many independent schools.
  • Can parents suggest a new bus route?

    Yes, we welcome input about modifying existing bus stop locations and/or adding new bus stops. Please keep in mind that the Fessenden/Local Motion buses are not intended to be “door-to-door,” but, rather, seek central pick-up and drop-off locations. When making a decision about a new bus stop location, Fessenden will consult with Local Motion. Factors taken into consideration include: the number of children who would be served by the new stop, the time added to the bus route (which affects the length of time students are on the bus, as well as the time of the first pickup in the morning and the last drop-off in the afternoon), and safety. Fessenden will only consider adding new routes if doing so is economically feasible.
  • When do I need to sign up for bus transportation?

    Families may sign up for bus service at any time during the school year if there is space available. Please contact Mike Grossman, our Chief Operations Officer, at mgrossman@fessenden.org to request bus service after the start of the school year.
  • How are behavior problems reported and managed?

    If a student is causing problems on the bus/van, the bus/van driver will inform the school, and a teacher or division head will talk to the student, and, if necessary, call the parents. Students who continually misbehave may be suspended from the bus for a period of time.
  • Are there seat belts on the buses and vans?

    Yes, there are seat belts on the buses and the vans.
  • What happens when a child misses the bus?

    If a child misses the Local Motion bus in the morning, it is the parent/caregiver's responsibility to transport him or her to school. If a child misses the afternoon Local Motion bus, he or she should notify a faculty or staff member who will assist him in contacting a parent/caregiver.
© 2015 The Fessenden School. All Rights Reserved.
The Fessenden School
250 Waltham Street
West Newton, MA 02465
(617) 964-5350

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617-996-8658