The School District of Indian River County is inviting students to participate in the 2025 to 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest, a nationwide program that promotes safe transportation practices and celebrates the everyday heroes who keep students safe on their way to and from school.
Complete poster submission guidelines and national poster submission form can be found here: National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation, the annual contest encourages students to create artwork that highlights the importance of school bus safety. Each year, thousands of students across more than 40 states take part in the competition, with state winners advancing to the national level.
This year’s theme is Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.
Students are asked to design a poster that reflects this theme and showcases positive school bus safety behaviors. Each poster must include a yellow school bus and display the theme exactly as written.
Students may participate in one of the following divisions:
Grades K to 2
Grades 3 to 5
Grades 6 to 8
Special Education, Grades K to 12
Computer Aided Drawing
International Entries
Only first place winners at the state level will advance to the national competition.
Posters may be created between November 2, 2025 and April 3, 2026. State level entries must be submitted by April 17, 2026, with national submissions due by May 15, 2026.
All entries must be original artwork that promotes proper school bus safety. Posters must measure either 11 by 17 inches or 12 by 18 inches and may be created in any drawing medium. However, glued materials, collage, wood, plastic, metal, copyrighted characters, logos, and brand names are not permitted. School and district logos should not appear in the artwork.
New this year, students may also submit their posters digitally. Digital files must be submitted as a high resolution PDF, JPG, or PNG with a minimum of 300 dpi at the required poster size.
Posters will be evaluated by transportation and safety professionals based on safety message, originality, artistic quality, and visual impact. The national winning poster will be used to promote National School Bus Safety Week in 2026.
All entries must be submitted through the state level competition. Each poster must include a completed entry label attached to the back and be submitted through the student’s school according to local guidelines.
This contest provides students with a meaningful opportunity to use their creativity to promote safety while recognizing the drivers, monitors, and transportation professionals who work every day to ensure students arrive safely.