National School Bus Safety Poster Contest

From Your State to the National Stage! The National School Bus Safety Poster Contest gives students across North America an opportunity to use their creativity to promote an important message: school bus safety.

Each year, students participate locally, states select their winning entries, and those posters advance to national judging. The national winning artwork becomes part of the following year’s National School Bus Safety Week campaign—taking a student-created safety message from the classroom to communities across the country.

Local Participation → State Recognition → National Impact

How the Poster Contest Works

1. The next theme is announced and updated guidelines are shared. During National School Bus Safety Week each October, NAPT announces the poster contest theme that will be featured during the following year's National School Bus Safety Week.
2. Students bring the theme to life. Students create original artwork based on the announced theme. Local and state contests are held, with state winners advancing to national judging. 
3. National winners are selected. Winning entries are recognized nationally, with the overall winning artwork becoming the featured poster for the following National School Bus Safety Week.

The 2027 Theme Is Coming! The theme for the 2027 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest will be announced during National School Bus Safety Week, October 19–23, 2026.

Check back during National School Bus Safety Week for the theme, contest timeline, submission information, and resources.

Celebrating Our National Winners: See the student artwork that has helped bring school bus safety messages to life through the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest. Meet Past & Present National Winners!