Op is talking about 25 MILES from GDS/NCS/STA/SFS. No way is that commute 35 minutes any time of day, especially during morning rush hour or after school.

My kid is at NCS and we live in AU Park—2.5 miles away and our door-to-door morning commute to school is 15 minutes. Often if I leave under 15 minutes (lets say 13) we’re late.

Our commute is about 40-50 minutes each way to a Big 3... DC doesn't mind it much.

that would be too much for us. We're looking at schools at most 30 minutes away and even that's a lot.

For the younger kids, a long commute just didn't seem feasible to us. It isn't just hard on the kids, its hard on the family as a whole. Academically, the difference between a Big 3 elementary program and the day schools or even a neighborhood public are not that great.

The calculus changes for high school when the academic differences get really wide. But by then, our DCs are able and eager to do a long Metro commute alone. In fact, they say it helped them get super organized and methodical about planning school work and ECs and contributes to their independence immensely.

Anonymous wrote:My kids commute was 35 minutes and was actually fabulous. We spent the morning talking listen to music and sometimes quizzing them for tests. I really enjoyed it because I find that as soon as they get home they go to their own corners and do their own thing but we got this time every morning and every evening to connect.

I agree that having consistent time with kids like that is great. Of course, you can have that without the drive as well. We've done both kinds of commutes and, of course, the short one makes life much easier and gives kids more down time. But you adapt to what you need to do and it works out.

I think it depends on where the majority of the kids at the school live. My kids go to a school where everyone is required to take a bus, so kids are from all over. I’m fine with that but would not like it of most kids loved right by the school bc then all play dates and activities would end up being there. Also, try that commute at the end of the day. I’d guess you’d be fine in the am, but I don’t know anywhere here where 25 miles at 3:15-6pm wouldn’t take an hour.

We crossed the river from VA for MS and made a family decision to stay in VA for HS. The commute was a grind but just one factor. The DC privates have families from VA, DC and MD and there was never an issue w/ DS having play dates. It just meant a different commute. We found a half way meeting spot w/ one family so that neither of us had to do the whole ARLINGTON to Gaithersburg commute.

My kids commute was 35 minutes and was actually fabulous. We spent the morning talking listen to music and sometimes quizzing them for tests. I really enjoyed it because I find that as soon as they get home they go to their own corners and do their own thing but we got this time every morning and every evening to connect.

I did that for my kid with disabilities who needed a particular school setting that could only be found a distance away. It was difficult but worth it. No way would I do it for my typical child, for whom one school is unlikely to be that much better than another one.

Another thing is play dates—hard to see friends outside of school when most will be closer.

My 3rd grader has a 40-45 bus ride and has never once complained. It would be a 30ish minute drive if I drove her.

I commuted 45 minutes as a child and by middle school i hated it. i spent my life in the car. when i had my own kids that was one thing i felt very strongly about in terms of parenting decisions. i would never do that to my kids.

also you are being very optimistic with your time estimates. 25 miles (!!) away from any of the big3 schools could take an hour each way easily. 1.5 hours on some days. there's no way you can count on making it in 35 minutes. you'll be commuting in the very heart of rush hour each morning.

I’d consider what time my child 1) had to wake up and leave for school, 2) what time they get home 3) what happens when the nurse calls or there is snow and most importantly 4) is the beltway involved in this commute.

Sounds ideal at the beginning but the daily grind will get old for both you and your child.

How far is too far for a 2nd grader to commute to school ? Considering a school 25mi away - 35min if absolutely no traffic. Let’s say 45-50min w traffic. Big 3 type school.