How do EOTP middle schoolers get to Deal/Hardy/other WOTP schools?

[Anonymous]

We turned down an OOB offer at Hyde-Addison this year because we're happy enough at our EOTP elementary that we didn't want to take on that commute yet. But looking ahead, we're considering either moving IB for a JR feeder or trying to lottery into an elementary feeder. I'd love to stay in our current house (we'd likely rent and rent, then move back when DC goes to college) if we can lottery in, but not sure how the logistics of a cross-town commute work in practice with older kids. Do parents drive middle schoolers every day? Carpools? Buses are so unreliable and would take 40-60 minutes, which feels like a long time when driving would be half of that. If you do the commute or are WOTP and have OOB friends that do, how do you do it?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I wouldn't have turned down a good feeder. Just move if you can't get into a school via the lottery system. You would probably have to drive or bike or leave early for buses. Most families I know drive, sadly.

[Anonymous]

D31 bus to Deal from Shepherd Park. There's nothing similar for Hardy because there aren't any EOTP feeders for Hardy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I wouldn't have turned down a good feeder. Just move if you can't get into a school via the lottery system. You would probably have to drive or bike or leave early for buses. Most families I know drive, sadly.

+1 what grade is your kid that you turned down a good feeder? The families that I know drive.

[Anonymous]

hopefully not by driving down Blagden and crossing the park there. Rough traffic. Maybe Piney Branch reopening will help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We turned down an OOB offer at Hyde-Addison this year because we're happy enough at our EOTP elementary that we didn't want to take on that commute yet. But looking ahead, we're considering either moving IB for a JR feeder or trying to lottery into an elementary feeder. I'd love to stay in our current house (we'd likely rent and rent, then move back when DC goes to college) if we can lottery in, but not sure how the logistics of a cross-town commute work in practice with older kids. Do parents drive middle schoolers every day? Carpools? Buses are so unreliable and would take 40-60 minutes, which feels like a long time when driving would be half of that. If you do the commute or are WOTP and have OOB friends that do, how do you do it?

Many older kids take the bus.
I wish the Metro Bus was more reliable. Typically, when the bus does not show, the kids at the stop together problem solve and get one parent to drive.

[Anonymous]

OP, to answer your question, hundreds of middle schoolers take the metro or bus to school. This includes OOB kids but also all the kids who get to Basis, Latin, DCI, Cap City, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, to answer your question, hundreds of middle schoolers take the metro or bus to school. This includes OOB kids but also all the kids who get to Basis, Latin, DCI, Cap City, etc.

Thanks, PP. This is OP again. It seems daunting to put them on a (unreliable) bus for 45+ minutes when the drive would be half of that, but it seems like it's normal? My thinking is still in elementary student mode, but I know a lot changes quickly as middle school approaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, to answer your question, hundreds of middle schoolers take the metro or bus to school. This includes OOB kids but also all the kids who get to Basis, Latin, DCI, Cap City, etc.

Thanks, PP. This is OP again. It seems daunting to put them on a (unreliable) bus for 45+ minutes when the drive would be half of that, but it seems like it's normal? My thinking is still in elementary student mode, but I know a lot changes quickly as middle school approaches.

If you are not moving you still have to get into a feeder and drive, then you will know what to do for middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, to answer your question, hundreds of middle schoolers take the metro or bus to school. This includes OOB kids but also all the kids who get to Basis, Latin, DCI, Cap City, etc.

Thanks, PP. This is OP again. It seems daunting to put them on a (unreliable) bus for 45+ minutes when the drive would be half of that, but it seems like it's normal? My thinking is still in elementary student mode, but I know a lot changes quickly as middle school approaches.

We do it! He likes the metro. Gets homework done or chats with pals.

[Anonymous]

Lots of middle schools kids we know take the bus and/or metro to school in groups. The group is the key—I personally wouldn’t be comfortable putting a middle schooler on public transportation alone for a cross-town, lengthy trip. If you don’t have any kids in the neighborhood going to the same school that your kid could join for the commute, driving may be your only option.

[Anonymous]

There are 2 schools EOTP that currently feed to Deal - Shepherd and Bancroft. There are also many students who attend Deal/JR who live in Crestwood and 16th St Heights who are still in boundary for Deal (and have feeder rights to JR) up to this year due to grandfathering following the 2014 boundary review. These students typically ride a Metrobus that is essentially a designated route to Tenleytown, i.e, it is a straight shot and only comes once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The D31 comes south on 16th St and then across Military to Nebraska. The D33 comes north on 16th (starting at Shepherd St NW), across Military to Nebraska. The D34 comes north on 14th starting 14th and Colorado, across Military to Colorado. (I think there is another bus for Bancroft students, but I do not know what that is). There is also the W45 which is dedicated for JR (formerly Wilson, hence the W) students. Theoretically, these bus lines should be in place to accommodate these students through at least 2029, when the current 6th graders graduate (the youngest grandfathered cohort). A lot of students who attend Deal because they attended feeder elementary schools and live EOTP also ride these buses. It is much different to ride these "designated" buses than to ride a regular Metrobus, as the only people on them are other Deal/JR kids (I mean, anyone can ride those buses, but would you willingly get on a bus full of middle or high school kids!?). If your children are much younger however, and you happen to get an OOB spot at a feeder, it is unclear how long these bus routes (D33 and D34) will remain in place if there are no longer in boundary students attending those schools (because the boundaries have changed). Shepherd and Bancroft remain in bounds, so those bus routes should remain in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 schools EOTP that currently feed to Deal - Shepherd and Bancroft. There are also many students who attend Deal/JR who live in Crestwood and 16th St Heights who are still in boundary for Deal (and have feeder rights to JR) up to this year due to grandfathering following the 2014 boundary review. These students typically ride a Metrobus that is essentially a designated route to Tenleytown, i.e, it is a straight shot and only comes once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The D31 comes south on 16th St and then across Military to Nebraska. The D33 comes north on 16th (starting at Shepherd St NW), across Military to Nebraska. The D34 comes north on 14th starting 14th and Colorado, across Military to Colorado. (I think there is another bus for Bancroft students, but I do not know what that is). There is also the W45 which is dedicated for JR (formerly Wilson, hence the W) students. Theoretically, these bus lines should be in place to accommodate these students through at least 2029, when the current 6th graders graduate (the youngest grandfathered cohort). A lot of students who attend Deal because they attended feeder elementary schools and live EOTP also ride these buses. It is much different to ride these "designated" buses than to ride a regular Metrobus, as the only people on them are other Deal/JR kids (I mean, anyone can ride those buses, but would you willingly get on a bus full of middle or high school kids!?). If your children are much younger however, and you happen to get an OOB spot at a feeder, it is unclear how long these bus routes (D33 and D34) will remain in place if there are no longer in boundary students attending those schools (because the boundaries have changed). Shepherd and Bancroft remain in bounds, so those bus routes should remain in place.

This is accurate except there are two buses in the morning and two in afternoon. But they’re basically back to back.

[Anonymous]

Why would you do that terrible commute? Just move to close in burbs and you have great schools with great facilities with tracking in all subjects in middle and high school. Plus school buses and neighborhood schools where the overwhelmingly majority of kids attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you do that terrible commute? Just move to close in burbs and you have great schools with great facilities with tracking in all subjects in middle and high school. Plus school buses and neighborhood schools where the overwhelmingly majority of kids attend.

Because our mortgage is under $2k a month and we don’t want to live in the suburbs, particularly not after our child graduates high school. PLUS where we could afford in MCPS isn’t any better than JR.