Answers by Thomas Santore

A “walking school” isn’t usually an official label—it’s more of a practical designation based on whether students can reasonably and safely walk to school. Here’s how you can tell if a school fits that description: 1. Distance from homes Most districts consider a school “walkable” if students live within a certain range—commonly: Elementary: ~0.5 to 1 mile Middle/High: ~1 to 1.5 miles If many students fall inside that radius, it’s often treated as a walking school. 2. School district transportation policy Check the district’s busing rules. If they don’t provide buses within a certain distance, that’s a strong signal it’s considered a walking zone. 3. Sidewalks and infrastructure A true walking school typically has: Continuous sidewalks Crosswalks and crossing guards Low to moderate traffic roads No sidewalks or high-speed roads nearby usually means it’s not realistically walkable—even if it’s close. 4. Actual student behavior What are kids doing in the morning? Lots of foot traffic = walking school Heavy car lines/buses = less walkable Real-world behavior often tells you more than policy. 5. Local designation or programs Some towns formally support walking through initiatives like Safe Routes to School National Partnership. If a school participates, it’s a good sign walkability is a focus. 6. Safety considerations Districts may classify areas as “non-walk zones” due to: Lack of sidewalks Dangerous intersections Railroads, highways, or blind curves Even short distances can be deemed unsafe. My take on this is; A school is essentially a “walking school” if the district expects students to walk (based on distance rules) and the surrounding area actually supports it safely. If you’re looking at this from a real estate angle, I can help you evaluate a specific property or school zone—it’s one of those details buyers care about more than they realize. You can contact me and we can determine the walkability together

You don’t need to prioritize school districts for lifestyle—but you should consider them as a resale strategy tool. They’re less about education in your case and more about protecting liquidity and value. If you want, I can break down how this plays out specifically in Westchester/Putnam—there are some towns where the “school premium” is very real, and others where it’s overstated. THOMAS J. SANTORE, Associate Real Estate Broker Coldwell Banker Realty Lower Hudson Valley Regional Office Lic#: 30SA0872839 366 Underhill Avenue | Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 C. 845.590.5488 [email protected] | realestatesallhere.com