Student Parking Permits, RTA Digital Bus Pass and Locker Requests 2026-2027

AHS Student Parking Permits 26-27 SY

Attention Eligible Student Drivers: 

Please read carefully. The AHS Parking Permit Application window is now open. Applications will be taken from August 3rd until August 19th, 2026. Students who successfully submit their application will be able to pick up their permit on Thursday, August 20th, 2026.  We will consider all requests for parking, however, selection will be made based on the following criteria:

  • HCC/ Jumpstart
  • Work Release
  • GT Research 
  • CRD/Apprenticeship Programs 
  • All other requests will be considered case by case. 

Completing the Application: 

  • The form has 20 questions. Complete each question on the form. 
  • Be sure to upload a copy of your driver’s license ID card
  • NO LEARNERS PERMITS
    •  (If you will have your Driver’s License by Aug 24th, you may apply and upload the license photo once you have it.)
  • Submit the application once completed.  
  • All applications will be time stamped and saved.
  • Access to application: AHS Student Parking Application SY 2026-2027

All applications will be reviewed and verified for accuracy. Students who are allocated a parking permit will be sent an email by August 19th, 2026 with a location to pick up the permit on August 20th. If you do not use the OSP link to pay for the permit, please be prepared to pay the $15.00 fee for the permit on August 20th. Cash or Check (made out to Atholton High School) will be accepted as payment. 

After the initial window is closed, the parking application will reopen, and permits will be distributed on a rolling basis. 

For questions regarding this process, please contact tara_salvati@hcpss.org 

 

Student Locker Requests*

Students are encouraged to use lockers to store their belongings. The main office and reception areas will not hold student 

belongings during the school day.  For questions, please see Ms. Farson (Masters) in reception. Locker Request Form

If student belongings are dropped off by a parent/ guardian during the day, items should be labeled with the students full first and last name and left outside of the reception on the cart identified for collection/ pick up.  The person dropping the item(s) off should contact,  the student via Canvas messaging or email, notifying them their belongings have been dropped off. AHS is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. All technology (ex: Chromebook, headphones, wallet, cell phones) should be given directly to a secretary in reception or the main office and NOT left on the cart.

Thank you.

RTA Bus Pass Program

Thanks to a continued partnership between HCPSS, Howard County Government, and Regional Transportation Agency (RTA), all HCPSS middle and high school students have access to free RTA bus passes through summer 2026. Students have full access to the RTA system and are not limited to transportation to and from schools or to school-related activities.  

  To obtain the free student bus pass, students must agree to: ​ 

  • Provide name/student ID, address, and grade to school staff​ 
  • Maintain possession of the pass ​ 
  • Not transfer or share the pass with others​
  • Abide by Howard County Public School System rules while on-board.

Howard County government and the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland also have a digital bus pass program, enabling students to access free RTA bus passes directly from their phones or smart devices using a mobile app. Students who do not have access to a smart phone may still receive a free, printed bus pass from their school office. Please see Mrs. Jesneck for how to receive a RTA Bus Pass Card. Gina_Jesneck@hcpss.org 

The RTA system provides service along eight primary routes in Howard County that pulse in and out of the Downtown Columbia Transit Center at the Mall in Columbia (next to Barnes & Noble). Six middle schools (Elkridge Landing, Harper’s Choice, Lake Elkhorn, Oakland Mills, Patuxent Valley, Wilde Lake) and six high schools (Atholton, Hammond, Howard, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake) are located along RTA routes.    

For more information on RTA and detailed schedule information, please call 1-800-270-9553 or visit Transit RTA.