OP, we considered doing this for our DS due to the same childcare issues and ultimately decided against it (even though my MIL's school district is "better"). I went to private school my entire life (lived in the city and the public schools were not very good) and the one thing I always hated about it was that my friends lived all over the place so it wasn't like I had kids on my street who went to school with me. On the weekends, when I wanted to see my classmates, I would have to have my parents drive me across town. I wish we lived in a neighborhood where my classmates lived around me and my parents were involved in all of the school activities because it was right in the neighborhood.

My point is, if the school is already 30 minutes from your house, it will be hard for your child, you and your DH to feel a part of the school community. You already said that you don't have a lot of mommy friends and being involved in the local school is the best way to accomplish that. Its one of the main reasosn why I live in the suburbs and do not want to send my kids to private school.

Yes, if you somehow fake a medical or special needs problem like many parents do. Just get your doctor behind it. Claim any minority bloodlines (except european or asian) that that you may have as your race. That will do it. Really.

Anonymous wrote:Where do you work? This request just doesn't jive for me...there must be something missing...you are going to drive from Silver Spring to Potomac twice a day every day to save a few hundred dollars on before / after care...oh and to go to a better school district. On another note I will never understand how childcare is considered a hardship...everyone is in the same boat and has to find a way to provide for their child. I work in Chevy Chase...does this mean that I can find beforecare and aftercare in Chevy Chase and then claim a hardship so my child can go to a Chevy Chase school...give me a break!

I agree 100%. Why people have to self-segregate into ethnically homogenous pools of Type A parents is beyond me. I'll stay in Silver Spring.

I work in Chevy Chase...does this mean that I can find beforecare and aftercare in Chevy Chase and then claim a hardship so my child can go to a Chevy Chase school...give me a break!

I know someone who lived in Silver Spring and worked in Bethesda and was able to get a legitimate COSA into one of the B-CC cluster ES's just because of this. She was single.

Just put own Grandma's address as your home address and say you live with her.

Where do you work? This request just doesn't jive for me...there must be something missing...you are going to drive from Silver Spring to Potomac twice a day every day to save a few hundred dollars on before / after care...oh and to go to a better school district. On another note I will never understand how childcare is considered a hardship...everyone is in the same boat and has to find a way to provide for their child. I work in Chevy Chase...does this mean that I can find beforecare and aftercare in Chevy Chase and then claim a hardship so my child can go to a Chevy Chase school...give me a break!

I was successful in getting a COSA due to child care issues.

1. You can't do anything until next winter (feb?), when you go to your assigned school & register
2. Then you complete the COSA application and submit it (have to wait until the current year's is released)
3. Then you wait. We heard in May. If it's approved your registration is transferred automatically


Talking to your assigned school won't be helpful, as it is up to the school you're applying to. All your school has to do is sign to say they're willing to let you leave, and of course they are. Talking to the school you want to get into may (or may not) be helpful. I suspect checking out the school size/space will be more informatve.


I do second what PPs mentioned about the commute. I often think how great it'd be to have DC dropped off right at our doorstep as i'm schlepping up for pickup