Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for student accountability systems. School buses can be equipped with a bus system that executes a driver application. Students carry student identification (ID) systems that identify the students to the bus system, which in turn reports a geographic location to a student accountability system. The bus system is configured to permit rapid boarding and easy usage by drivers. The student accountability system provides a parent portal and an administrator portal to monitor the students and provide other useful functions.