Rocky Mountain Prep Partners with HopSkipDrive for Inclusive Student Experiences

Rocky Mountain Prep — a network of public charter schools — is a beacon of inclusive education in the Denver-metro area, empowering over 5,000 students across 12 schools (5 elementary, 5 middle, and 2 high schools) to reach their full potential. Rocky Mountain Prep is a movement of educators, families, scholars, and advocates changing the face of public education in Colorado by democratizing college access for historically marginalized students and families. 

A cornerstone of this comprehensive educational approach is the enriching experience of field trips, offering students invaluable learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls.

The Challenge: Navigating Accessible Transportation

Prior to partnering with HopSkipDrive, the logistics of orchestrating field trips at Rocky Mountain Prep often came with a significant hurdle: securing wheelchair-accessible vehicles for students who needed them. This wasn’t just a minor inconvenience; it was a source of considerable stress for school staff and of critical importance for the students impacted.

The traditional approach many districts around the country take involves attempting to secure a bus equipped for wheelchairs directly from the district. If a district bus isn’t available, the burden often falls on parents and caregivers, who need to take time out of their days to drive their children separately to and from field trip locations. This isn’t always feasible or convenient for working parents, creating a barrier to participation for their children. 

The Solution: A Partnership for Seamless Accessibility

Rocky Mountain Prep’s journey with HopSkipDrive began in 2019 and was initially focused on transportation for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), whose transportation needs often differ significantly from general education students. Recognizing HopSkipDrive’s reliability, ease of use, and strong track record of supporting the needs of different student populations, Rocky Mountain Prep saw an opportunity to expand its partnership with HopSkipDrive to include wheelchair-accessible vehicle rides for students.

With Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) rides being offered nationwide for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, HopSkipDrive is a great partner for schools like Rocky Mountain Prep that are seeking reliable and inclusive transportation. WAV rides can be arranged through HopSkipDrive’s care-centered marketplace, connecting schools with a network of drivers known as CarePartners™, who are specifically trained to support students using wheelchairs. Schools can make a ride request for rides for the whole school year (or whenever they need it). This means less stress for school staff and, most importantly, guaranteed access to enriching experiences for students of all abilities. 

“The experience of working with HopSkipDrive has been incredibly easy and positive. It grants students wheelchair-accessible vehicles in an easy and safe way so that they participate in school field trips without needing to worry about transportation.”

—Jasmine Thompson, Manager of Operational Partnerships at Rocky Mountain Prep Network

Before HopSkipDrive, school staff often found themselves in a last-minute scramble trying to arrange transportation by relying on ad-hoc solutions or partnering with families and caregivers directly. Now, that stress has been replaced with efficiency and confidence.

At HopSkipDrive, we are committed to ensuring every student gets to school and other activities safely and on time, fostering truly inclusive educational environments across the country.

Says Thompson: “This partnership has not only streamlined logistics but, more importantly, it has ensured that every Rocky Mountain Prep student, no matter what their mobility needs may be, can fully participate in and benefit from the enriching experiences of field trips.”