NW DC Private School Carpools or Transportation Services

[Anonymous]

We just got an acceptance to one of the NW DC Privates. Needless to say we are extremely happy about it, however, I am apprehensive about the transportation aspect of it. Does anyone know if carpools from Bowie or even Silver Spring to the area where Sidwell/NCS/Maret (don't want to say the school until I'm directly in touch with someone) are located? If so could you respond here and maybe we can get in touch? I know the school has resources about this, however I'm not sure if they will give us access before we pay a tuition deposit, and this will weigh heavily on whether or not we decide to accept.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You should ask the school. I know families in the College Park area who were in the same position you are in. It's a reasonable question to ask beforehand. Lots of privates have buses that come to PG County.

[Anonymous]

Ours definitely doesn't but I will ask for some local families

[Anonymous]

Doesn't have a bus that is ^^

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat...but southern PG to a Georgetown area private.

[Anonymous]

We are in the College Park area and will be attending a school in NW next fall. Admissions mentioned that they could put us in touch with other families in our area.

[Anonymous]

There are several families in S. Prince Georges that have kids who attend NW DC privates. The fact is whether you carpool or not, you will need to have DC ready to leave the home between 6:30am NLT 6:45am to get through traffic. This was a huge change for my DC, but kiddo got used to it and had to give up evening sports to get homework done to get to bed to get enough sleep. Setting up a carpool was a challenge because families have different work schedules...however, schools do have aftercare which helps. The commute definitely affects our quality of life but it's worth it and the education and opportunities are unlike anything you will receive locally. Ask to be put in touch with local families and discuss the possibility of a carpool; however, I would not say to the school that transportation is the reason you would decline because you knew the distance between your home and the school before they took the time to give your family a tour, interview, reviewed your application, etc. Congratulations and you can make it work.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I'm sure I can make it work myself that's not why I would turn down- if anything we would turn down because we are waiting to see if they can give more FA. It would, however be nice to find a carpool especially as this was something we spent more than a nominal amount of time discussing during my parent interview. Thanks for your insight!

[Anonymous]

I successfully found a carpool by using the school directory. Most parents are friendly and willing to help if they can. PG parents from all of the named schools above should come together to get a bus together for morning and evening drop off. I would be down for that.

[Anonymous]

Me too to the above poster- I have been in touch with the pastor from new spring in Bowie and he said that he would start a bus that way (they have an established school shuttle business) if he could get 3 students... Let me know if you're interested and we can swap info

[Anonymous]

My school will not connect you with families or provide directory until this summer....translation...after the deposit and contract are due. For those doing this...are you doing this for elementary school? how involved are you really with the school community and do the kids have friendships with many kids at the school? Are their classmates coming to PG for parties and play dates? Are they left out of the circle of kids that are all in Bethesda, Chevy chase, NW DC? I care about social life and social development as much as I do academics and my kid really craves friendships right now. I disagree that there is nothing comparable closer to us.....we have another option we just got an acceptance for we are considering that would not require such a drastic amount of commuting time and we think can provide a comparable education and costs less. I just don't know if the more prestigious name and fancier facility are worth turning our lives upside down for PreK ...maybe middle school and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My school will not connect you with families or provide directory until this summer....translation...after the deposit and contract are due. For those doing this...are you doing this for elementary school? how involved are you really with the school community and do the kids have friendships with many kids at the school? Are their classmates coming to PG for parties and play dates? Are they left out of the circle of kids that are all in Bethesda, Chevy chase, NW DC? I care about social life and social development as much as I do academics and my kid really craves friendships right now. I disagree that there is nothing comparable closer to us.....we have another option we just got an acceptance for we are considering that would not require such a drastic amount of commuting time and we think can provide a comparable education and costs less. I just don't know if the more prestigious name and fancier facility are worth turning our lives upside down for PreK ...maybe middle school and beyond.

If you don't mind me asking- what school is this (that won't connect, that is), and yes, this is for middle school in my case at least (I'm the pp that's been in touch with the transportation service). We have strong out of school connections from playing travel sports. I will beg to slightly differ from your view, however as my DD (who is accepted to the school) went to a private in Baltimore when I worked up there earlier in my career (this was K-2 for her). It just meant a drive for parties, etc. Just because she didn't live locally didn't mean she wasn't invited. It was a 35 minute drive to Baltimore to attend the parties, etc. just like how it would be now for schools in NW DC, however, many of the students at certain schools don't live close by. I was able to be a part of the school community, and she had tons of friends at school. Maybe it's just me, but it really didn't bother me that much.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for sharing the perspective. I'd rather not name the school given there are probably not many new admits from S. PG admitted for PreK, but it is one of the top private schools in NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, thanks for sharing the perspective. I'd rather not name the school given there are probably not many new admits from S. PG admitted for PreK, but it is one of the top private schools in NW DC.

Understood. I've been having to do the same song and dance all around the site as I'm sure we are probably THE only admit to our grade at our school from PG this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, thanks for sharing the perspective. I'd rather not name the school given there are probably not many new admits from S. PG admitted for PreK, but it is one of the top private schools in NW DC.

Understood. I've been having to do the same song and dance all around the site as I'm sure we are probably THE only admit to our grade at our school from PG this year.

You might be surprised. We thought this would be the case for our DD at her school a couple of years back. Turned out there were 4 other PG County kids in her grade. It depends a lot on which school I'm sure, but a lot of PG families make the drive to a lot of the private schools in NW DC, MoCo, and even Virginia. Could you ask the AD what the rough percentage is of PG County kids at your school is currently? It would give you a good sense of how likely it is you will be able to put together a carpool.