Schoolchildren face heightened vulnerability to traffic accidents due to inadequate infrastructure and poor pedestrian consideration in urban planning. This study investigates risk factors associated with school commuting routes and peri-school environments to inform strategies for mitigating student exposure to traffic-related dangers. Data was collected via a questionnaire administered to 1,074 children aged 9–11 (50.9% boys, 49.1% girls) across twelve Algerian primary schools. The methodology combined road safety assessments using the Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) tool around school vicinities with a participatory approach, capturing children’s firsthand commuting experiences. Findings show over 75% of surveyed children walk to school, with 85% unaccompanied by adults. Spatial analysis reveals that Gender-based behavioral differences emerge, with female students demonstrating greater caution during road crossings. Infrastructure evaluations identify critical deficiencies—including absent pedestrian facilities, inadequate signage, and substandard road conditions—as primary contributors to elevated risk levels. The SR4S assessment classified school zones into distinct safety categories, ranging from high-risk (1-star) to optimal safety (5-star). This hybrid approach allowed both risk classification near schools and geospatial mapping of danger zones along routes based on children’s experiences, extending hazard analysis beyond school perimeters. The findings support planning safer, inclusive school environments and more resilient urban development.