School warning signs and their supplemental plaques use a black legend and border on a fluorescent yellow-green background. The pentagon is associated with school advance and school crossing warnings. School speed-limit signs and plaques communicate the applicable regulatory condition and timing.
At a glance
| Sign role | Typical designation | What it communicates |
|---|---|---|
| School advance or crossing warning | S1-1 and related assemblies | A school area or crossing condition ahead |
| School bus warning | School-related warning series | A location associated with school-bus activity |
| School speed | S4 and S5 families | Advance notice, conditions, times, or end of a school speed zone |
| Supplemental plaque | P-suffix designs | Time, days, distance, arrow, or other qualifying information |
Warning and regulation are different jobs
A school warning alerts road users to a school-related condition. A school speed-limit assembly communicates a regulatory speed condition. The signs may appear in the same area, but their functions and designations are different.
Read the complete assembly
School-speed signing can include a primary sign plus plaques stating times, days, conditions such as “when flashing,” or other limitations. The complete assembly determines the displayed message.
Find school signs by function
Browse the School category in the Sign Library, or search phrases such as “school crossing,” “school speed,” “when flashing,” and “end school zone.”
Frequently asked questions
What color are school warning signs?
School warning signs and their related supplemental plaques use fluorescent yellow-green backgrounds with black legends and borders.
What shape is a school warning sign?
The pentagon is associated with school advance and school crossing warnings.
Does a school warning sign set a speed limit?
No. A warning sign and a regulatory school speed-limit assembly serve different functions.