Anonymous wrote:I actually feel like busses are safer than Metro, if you can find one that gets your kid where he needs to go. it's usually the same drivers on the routes and they tend to keep an eye out for all the kids as they get to know them throughout the school year. As in any bus (oh the things I learned riding a bus to school in Middle School), sitting right up near the driver is always safer.

Bus drivers are the unsung heros of society. Seriously. They have so many lives in their hands on a daily basis, most are very courteous and many go way above and beyond to help the elderly, or anyone who needs a little assistnace. They also ask questions,make chit chat and keep an eye out for trouble.

To the PP who said 10 is old for 4th grade, check your math.

My 10yo walks to school alone (a mile). He could do Metro alone if it was necessary. Families I’ve known at Latin and BASIS have had their 5th graders commute solo.

Agree that bus feels safer than Metro.

When Metro is dysfunctional, it can be challenging for an adult to handle, much less a 10yo.

No way in hell my 9-10 yo is riding metro by themselves. 12-13 maybe.

My son started in 6th grade.

Anonymous wrote:My son is incoming 4th grade and like everyone else, wants to go to BASIS or Latin next year.
I'm not sure I want him on the metro on his own at age 10, even if he does get in.

Depending on his level of comfort navigating the system alone and his maturity, 10 might be a good age. I would also consider the route he would be taking in my safety analysis. I would suggest a test-run or two before. In order to make him comfortable interacting with WMATA personnel, I would maybe even introduce him to the station managers at the stations where he will enter and exit.

My kid started riding the bus solo at the very end of 3rd grade. He is old for his year, though -- turned 10 just a few weeks into fourth grade.

He hasn't done solo metro trip yet. Agree with PP that I'm more comfortable with the bus.

Please he doesn't want to go to these schools, you want him to go to these schools.

As for age, it depends on how confident they are. Taking the metro is easy most days. The issue is what happens when it single tracks or goes express and DS needs to head in the opposite direction or go past his stop and turn around. Some 10 yo (and younger) can handle that or ask for help. Others will panic and melt down.

Can't he team up with other neighborhood kids heading to school to ride Metro?

Neighborhood parents often organize group travel to BASIS, Wash Latin, DCI etc. for middle school kids. We know Cap Hill families, Brookland, Hillsdale families etc. who've done that.

Anonymous wrote:After I was treated on the metro no way in hell would I let my fourth grader ride it alone.

This, but 10 is pretty old for a 4th grader.

I actually feel like busses are safer than Metro, if you can find one that gets your kid where he needs to go. it's usually the same drivers on the routes and they tend to keep an eye out for all the kids as they get to know them throughout the school year. As in any bus (oh the things I learned riding a bus to school in Middle School), sitting right up near the driver is always safer.

After I was treated on the metro no way in hell would I let my fourth grader ride it alone.

I'm not in the DMV area, but let my DD take the train to school and back towards the end of 4th grade. We are in San Francisco, and I would pick her up in the afternoon at the top of the train station, on street level.

Going to school was much easier - I'd toss her on the train, and a friend or two joined a couple of stops later and then they'd all exit the train and walk the three blocks to school together.

We waited till 12 yrs and old and middle school.

My son is incoming 4th grade and like everyone else, wants to go to BASIS or Latin next year.
I'm not sure I want him on the metro on his own at age 10, even if he does get in.