ENCORE Academy’s school leader Terri Smith said her students are spending less time on the bus this year, and that’s a good thing.

“Student bus rides are considerably shorter,” Smith said.

The school switched to Apple Bus Company this year, its second year of operation, and the move has gone well, Smith told the board of directors at a meeting Wednesday night.

She said they have received only five complaints regarding transportation — a number she said is pretty good considering school started more than three weeks ago on Aug. 5.

Earlier this week The Lens reported on early student bus stops and the long rides to school, something Smith said has improved this year compared to last.

In other updates, Smith said the school is averaging 90 percent daily attendance. She also said preliminary testing would conclude this week.

Of the 318 students currently enrolled, 110 attend Champ Camp, the school’s extended-day program. And about 10 percent of the student population qualifies as English-as-a-second-language learners.

The school will host a curriculum night on Sept. 12 where families can learn about Common Core standards and more.

Smith also said a parent advisory group will begin meeting monthly on the last Thursday of the month, beginning in September.