How long is your kid's commute to private school? Is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

My daughter changed schools this year and we went from 25-30 of fairly stressful traffic to an easy 8-10 minute drive and I dramatically underestimated how much it would improve our quality of life. Her school ends at 8th, and we’ve already shifted how we think about commute times when looking at high schools, and one that was much lower on the list before will likely be one of the top choices.

[Anonymous]

My kid was having a VERY tough time socially. We did a long commute (sometimes an hour) to go to one of the nice and nurturing private schools. It may have saved my kid's life and definitely helped with mental health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:5-6 minutes driving distance. We don't use school transportation. We like it.

Did you really think the question, especially with the follow up question, "is it worth it?" was directed toward someone like you with a 5-6 minute commute? Are you in public school and the elementary school is on the corner? I don't think OP was talking to you.

I should have added that we turned down a school with 25-30min travel time (without traffic congestion). That school was not worth it for us given that we had an offer from this close one. But if we had not received this closer opportunity, my answer would probably be that we commute 30min without traffic and it is worth it those days. During those days when commute takes longer it is not worth it.

Current school is totally worth it because it is so close. FYI, it is still slightly further away than the local public.

[Anonymous]

Anything over an hour and a half would be too much.

[Anonymous]

We live in the 25-50 min range depending on traffic but usually 35 mins. It’s worth it to see him happy. There’s a bus and I feel like we aren’t the type of family who would have those many afterschool play dates so the bus is that extra social time that he needs. Am I jealous of the families that live walking distance? Yes. But on the whole it’s worth it to us. Nothing lasts forever and as others have said if you focus on the positive, like more conversations in the car, then you can also manage the negative, little room for spontaneity, stress on parents. I say this in every thread, why don’t you try it and if it’s too much pull them for public school? That’s what we always discuss with my kids and every year they choose the commute and private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan was a 4 minute drive / 20 minute walk. Sidwell was an 8 minute drive and a 30 minute walk. Yes, both schools totally worth the commute.

NP. Lucky you. Thanks for the brag.

[Anonymous]

We traveled 25 to 30 min for the Siena School and def worth it. We travel 30 min from DC for another private elementary in Bethesda and worth it, but doing play dates is a challenge. For high school we are only considering schools that are relatively closer in DC where DC can get themselves to and from school and hopefully have more friends local to DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the 25-50 min range depending on traffic but usually 35 mins. It’s worth it to see him happy. There’s a bus and I feel like we aren’t the type of family who would have those many afterschool play dates so the bus is that extra social time that he needs. Am I jealous of the families that live walking distance? Yes. But on the whole it’s worth it to us. Nothing lasts forever and as others have said if you focus on the positive, like more conversations in the car, then you can also manage the negative, little room for spontaneity, stress on parents. I say this in every thread, why don’t you try it and if it’s too much pull them for public school? That’s what we always discuss with my kids and every year they choose the commute and private school.

This is what we have done. DD's school is 30 minutes from our house but it's also in the same city where we work. I've given her the option to try public or do a closer but less prestigious private but she likes where she is and doesn't mind the commute. Plus I love our conversations in the car and hearing everything about her day before we get home and deal with the craziness of her younger siblings who demand a lot of attention. Sometimes we even stop off for ice cream or an early dinner. It hasn't been an issue for us.

I will say that if the commute was a solid hour or more each way, that might be a dealbreaker.

[Anonymous]

30 minutes, carpool, totally worth it.

[Anonymous]

30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Furthest from us of the several where kid applied and was accepted but the best fit. Worth every moment of the commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 miles away but it takes 20-25 minutes with traffic/lights. Totally worth it. I drive every day. No school transportation

This would drive me nuts.

Mine ride the bus for 25 minutes, but it's 20+ miles. Worth it.

[Anonymous]

1.5 miles from Cathedral schools. Walkable I guess, but we drive and it’s about 10-15 min with traffic.