Commute from Alexandria to DC for High School

[Anonymous]

We live in Alexandria (near Old Town) and are considering sending our daughter to a DC high school (specifically, Maret or GDS). Could someone comment on the daunting logistics involved? What is the best way to get to school in the morning and back home in the afternoon? (GW parkway to Key Bridge, or some other way? Metro?) Is it so difficult that it becomes not worth the hassle? Would she have problems getting together with other kids? Will I become a full-time chauffeur? Do people ever form carpools through DCUM? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I live in DC, about a block from GDS. I can point out that the route I would take to get to your house -- the best route to Old Town from DC, IMO -- would be closed to you in the a.m. That's Rock Creek Park + those roads by the Kennedy Center. They're all one-way in the a.m./p.m., going the opposite way of your route.

Key Bridge is a mess due to commuters headed to G'town and West End jobs. But that's maybe your only choice to get "uptown," due to the aforementioned a.m. one-way situation on Rock Creek Pkwy.

[Anonymous]

I believe there are carpools. Contact the schools and they can probably give you the contact info. for the parent(s) who help to orchestrate. You could tap them directly for info.

[Anonymous]

If she goes to Maret she could take the metro. Not super-speedy-- probably close45 mins- an hour, all told-- but if she's in hs, she is old enough, and can read on the train!

we are considering same-- in alexandria, considering Maret....

[Anonymous]

Key Bridge to Foxhall if driving, Metro to Red Line (Woodley Park or Cleveland Park for Maret, Tenleytown for GDS).

The main issue would be the one you raised in terms of geographic proximity to other students, and the amount of time you are going back and forth to upper NW and Montgomery County, where most of the students at these schools reside.

[Anonymous]

I just have to reply. We lived in Alexandria and went to school in DC (I don't want to say which one becuase we were the only kids and people will know us) okay, this was 10 years ago but it was such a pain in the neck. We took GW pkwy to memorial bridge to NW. 35-45 minutes. Subway home when we were in highschool. The hardest part was friends all living in NW or montgomery county. I always slept at friends houses (even when I was old enough that I just wanted to be in my own bed), they never came over because it was so far from everything. I went to a great school, but it did come at a price - disconnect from our home community and distance to all of our friends. So much so that my siblings and all now live super close to our kids schools, almost sickly close.

Just had to add that it affects your childs social life.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. We are really struggling with the decision between TC Williams and Maret, etc. Can anyone comment on their child's experience at TC?

[Anonymous]

Before you struggle, don't you need to get in first? Or are you already in to Maret, etc?