Contemplating giving up spot because of the commute?

[Anonymous]

As I sit here at 1:55am because I'm ecstatic about getting into our #1 pick, I'm still thinking about our commute in the back of my head. Current commute is about 10 minutes and our new commute will be about 25 minutes. The school is in the opposite direction of our work. In a nutshell, after drop off in the am I will be trekking back towards home (passing it) to go to work. Are we crazy?

[Anonymous]

It was your number one pick for a reason. List out the pros and cons for the school. The longer side makes your decision! Good luck, and congrats in getting your first pick.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

I went to a private school in Potomac, Maryland living in DC. My parents drove me there when needed, however I did get on he bus at times. It did mean waking up earlier etc. but in the long run it was worth it. If you are at a school that has potential to grow or is growing I say stuck it out.

[Anonymous]

Some people walk barefoot a long way for a good education. Rural homes take the bus for miles everyday. I think you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

My heavier consideration for commutes like that is always the afternoon/evening leg. Consider if traffic at that time will make it a daily stressor for you, or if you can and would make adjustments at work to make it happen.

Otherwise, I say take a good thing--definitely.

[Anonymous]

I'll be the voice of dissent here -- we've been doing a 20 minute commute for the last 2 years (to a wonderful school), and we're switching this year because it is just not worth it. The kids spend too much time in the car, we don't get enough time with them, it makes playdates and after school activities really tough, etc. Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

We will pass on BASIS partially because of the commute (40%?). Would add an easy 40 minutes to my morning because I work in the opposite direction.

DS could certainly get himself there on metro at some point, but again that is the difference between a <10 minute walk (deal) or 30 minute walk+ride. IMO not worth it because alternative is Deal, not hellhole

[Anonymous]

Whatever decision you make....know that you may be stuck with it. You may never get into a different school via lottery again. Can you see yourself doing this for years?

But if its your number one choice....it may be worth it

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go to a school that added that much time to my commute. So I didn't even try to get into them in the lottery. But it depends on your alternatives, OP. Maybe try doing the commute at the right time with your kid in the car, see how it goes and think about whether facing it every day would be worth it.

[Anonymous]

I gave up sws bc of commute and regret it but I really could not get there. If you can, then go

[Anonymous]

No but that is because we ultimately decided we would not apply to schools that we could not swing. We did last year but got into a school
That is 5 mins drive from our house and on the way to work and realized that it was very nice, esp with another kid somewhere else. It also helps that we wouldn't get in anywhere WoTP or mundi verde or you ying or....(we are in ward 4).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I sit here at 1:55am because I'm ecstatic about getting into our #1 pick, I'm still thinking about our commute in the back of my head. Current commute is about 10 minutes and our new commute will be about 25 minutes. The school is in the opposite direction of our work. In a nutshell, after drop off in the am I will be trekking back towards home (passing it) to go to work. Are we crazy?

I do this exact commute to our charter. Go 30 minutes across town to get to school, then come back across town, pass home and go in the other direction to get to work. Its a pain, but worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

The commute is the gift that keeps on giving, and giving and giving.

[Anonymous]

We've had a great commute and a lousy one for a good school. You have a hard decision. Agree with above posters on making the run a few times during the periods where you will have to drive. Look at Metro rail and bus if that's an option.

We used the lousy long commute for talking; DC and I talk about all kinds of things in the car. It was a bit depressurizing after a school day too. Think of the after school activities the school offers if they do and car pool! Can not say enough about car pooling.

You can do anything for a few years.