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DC got accepted to a school we LOVE, but the commute is scaring me. Any advice?
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Anonymous
| I would go to the closer school-for easier play dates, if nothing else. |
Anonymous
| I am in favor of public money for private school transportation. It is done in NY and PA, so it is "constitutional", I would love to see that here. It would be eco friendly and reduce congestion. |
Anonymous
| May be of interest: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/21413.page#129904 |
Anonymous
Actually I don't regret all these years of commuting because the school has been so great for both kids - but as we approach the end I do look forward to not doing the drive. To put it in a little context - when we started at the school it made more logistical sense due to work, etc. Now it doesn't but we didn't want to change schools. Tuition is a little less than some schools but that wasn't really a factor for us. |
Anonymous
| GO WITH THE CLOSER SCHOOL!!! We have commuted for several years and can't wait to change schools. It only gets worse. Consider: DC will be exhausted by the commute, it will affect homework completion, ability to have playdates, etc. Factor in sports practices, dance classes, piano, whatever extracurricular activities and the commute will also make those things difficult to manage. I could go on and on (from experience) but please just know that no matter how good the school, a crazy commute is just that, CRAZY. You want DC to have a great education, but also a somewhat normal life. |
Anonymous
| That's simply not true. CHDS has families from all over the place -- and our commute gives us a chance to talk about the day, relationships, all kinds of conversations that just wouldn't happen otherwise. That time together has made a real difference. |
Anonymous
| the above is in response to 21:57 |
Anonymous
| We chose the further-away school (WES) and have been commuting 35 minutes each way. The commute is a royal pain. But, we're so happy with the school that we are moving to be closer next year. |
Anonymous
|
OP here. Wow, I am not willing to move to be closer to a school, but I respect the commitment! I should say that DS has a younger sibling who will ALSO be dragged around on these commutes, and the younger sibling will be attending a little nursery near our home, so it would a commute to the school, then try to haul ass back to home for the little one, then back out to the farther school a little bit later. Argh. I am talking myself out of the farther school....
Cadillac problems, I know. I just want to do the best for my kid... |
Anonymous
| What is considered a long commute? I live less than 5 miles from each school (1 is 2.5 miles away) but for our top choice school it could easily take 45 min in rush hour traffic. Is it just a matter of finding a faster route or is traffic in the city just that sucky? We live in DC, right in the middle so everything is equal distance. I don't understand how people from waldorf, ft wash and other far places in md do it. Pls shed some light on how you navigate the commute from outside of DC when those of that live here are complaining? TIA |
Anonymous
In years' past, that was true. But CHDS seems to want to play with the Big Boys (and Girls). They're doing renovations. Hiring excellent admininstrators and staff. Accepting kids who are also considering the so-called elite privates. And reaching as far out of the beltway as possible. It was the only time I felt living in Bethesda gave us an advantage in this private school sweepstakes! Several years after the fact, our family is hardly alone. |
Anonymous
|
Did an approx. 25 min commute (longer on way home) this year. Re-applied to closer school and am transferring in the fall. It wasn't so much the actual commute (although it wasn't ideal) but, as some posters have said, everything else. The play dates, the birthday parties, the meetings, the events at school, parent duties (helping out in the library, classroom)... Scheduling play dates was hard enough, but we were always the ones expected to drive the long distance b/c the other kids were all close to each other so it made sense to make it most convenient for the majority. We did have a few play dates over at our place, but they would have to be really long ones because the parents didn't want to drive all the way here, go home, then turn around and come right back. It wasn't the worst year of our life, but it certainly wasn't the easiest. We really did like the school, but we like the sanity better. And the ability for us to more easily attend school happenings, birthdays, play dates etc. we feel will make for a more well-rounded and sane kid.
Of course your experience may be different based on any number of factors. But this is our story in a nutshell. We are breathing a big sigh of relief in thinking about the time, energy, gas, sanity changes that are coming in the fall. |
Anonymous
|
Another perspective: Not sure if you are pre-k but even As kids get older K, first grade, etc - they have to concentrate a bit more than in pre-school. Our teachers at our school are constantly telling parents ensure kids get enough sleep, good breakfasts etc and too many kids simply don't get it. that's not always an easy task with children and get them out of the door on time. (or conversely, getting kids to bed very early to make that time up!) Commutes can add extra stress on that. Not all children have that issue - and you may not know until they get older.
Agree with all the comments on the playdates, school events, etc. we have a very short commute this year for our children's school and love it . our kids thrive seeing us there, because its so easy - and we can go in for a few minutes, chat with teachers, other parents. days they are tired I can let them sleep in a little longer with no stress on traffic. next hear eldest goes to a newer school 10 more minutes away and know that will be harder. also years back I did the rush back to drop off other child at pre-school. they were always late and short-changed. wasn't the worst for them, but always felt stressful to me. |
Anonymous
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absolutely agree with the closer option. This year we had a long commute (nearly 1 hour in rush hour, sometimes longer) each way from VA into DC. Takes a toll on everyone, both kids (baby gets dragged around on long car rides) and the driver too. My daughter is always tired during school and teachers say she doesn't have enough stamina and is at an age where naps are being phased out in school. Difficult to do playdates, birthday parties, weekend activities at school, weeknight conferences at school. Basically, once we do the drive from DC back home to VA, the last thing I want to do is turn around and go back to school for evening activities such as school meetings, etc, so I don't participate in them. Have only had a few playdates outside of school because we are so far away, while I know that everyone else who live close to school (many in walking distance) get together all the time.
This year we are applying to independent schools closer to home for this very reason. Wish we had never done the farther option for even the one year, and I do have regrets. It's taken a hard toll on all of us this year. Every day I count the days until the school year is over, and look forward to September when we'll go to a school closer to home. We have been accepted to some very good independent schools closer to home that I'm sure will be great for our daughter. I don't think it's a contest in your decision. Take it from someone who spends HOURS in the car everyday driving the kids around - make it easy on yourself, life is hard enough without added inconvenience. |
Anonymous
| OP, unless the closer school stinks, go with the closer one. There has to be a limit to this madness. |