HopSkipDrive is expanding to Virginia Beach, Virginia, in a new partnership with Chesapeake Public Schools. This partnership will bring the Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II-compliant company’s services to the area.

Partnering with Chesapeake Public Schools

With the partnership, HopSkipDrive plans to introduce its flexible transportation option that will work alongside yellow school buses to meet students' transportation needs. This expansion furthers the company’s presence in the state, where it currently partners with districts and schools in Richmond and Northern Virginia.

“Chesapeake Public Schools is excited to partner with HopSkipDrive, especially to supplement our yellow school buses and support our students needing more individualized transportation,” said Dr. David Benson, director of transportation for Chesapeake Public Schools. “We understand that reliable transportation is crucial for student attendance and academic focus. HopSkipDrive’s expertise in providing safe and supplemental transportation makes them an ideal partner.”

The school district will identify students that will receive rides from CareDrivers, which will be arranged by transportation officials through HopSkipDrive’s online platform. Once booked, ride details will be provided to organizers, parents, and caregivers which will be available through the HopSkipDrive app alongside real-time ride tracking.

A multi-factor authentication system is used to verify rides, and updates are available for selected students.

“A safe, reliable ride to school can make all the difference for a student's success,” said Joanna McFarland, CEO and co-founder of HopSkipDrive. “We look forward to partnering with Chesapeake Public Schools and other local districts so that schools and families can access the dependable rides and industry-leading technology that’s core to HopSkipDrive.”

SOC 2 Type II Certification and Why It Matters

HopSkipDrive also announced that it has recently achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance through an independent third-party audit. This certification tests a company's security practices over time.

Established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the attestation confirms the security systems meet strict industry standards for protecting sensitive information.

Type I attestations can also be achieved by showing a one-time snapshot of security controls. With a Type II attestation, the security measures are consistently effective and reliable. HopSkipDrive previously held a Type 1 attestation.

“Achieving SOC 2 Type II compliance reflects the safety-first mindset we’ve built into HopSkipDrive’s DNA since the very beginning,” said Corey McMahon, chief product & technology officer at HopSkipDrive. “This rigorous compliance process validates what we’ve always prioritized — creating a secure platform that school districts, families, and CareDrivers can trust before, during, and after the ride. Our engineering and information security teams have worked tirelessly to implement robust safeguards that go beyond standard industry practices, ensuring we deliver both peace of mind and exceptional service to our partners.”

While this is a significant step forward for the company, it remains committed to continuously improving security to ensure data stays safe.

HopSkipDrive also recently announced that it is now wheelchair accessible.