Anonymous wrote:We drive our children from EotP to a school in NW, and then go downtown for work. We usually park the car in NW after dropping off at school, and then Metro downtown. That way, we get cheaper parking and avoid the traffic. Afternoon is just the reverse.

Sounds daunting, but not too terrible once you get used to it. Probably adds about 30 minutes each way to our commute, and we take turns so it's only one person getting slowed down each day. If I had an equivalent school option closer though, I'd definitely be happy to lessen time in the car.

This says it all. We are in the process of divesting from a charter we really loved because a school that is, in theory, equal in quality will be walking distance from us next year. We applied thinking "why not, we won't get in" but we did and with a heavy heart we are taking the closer but equal in quality charter. Out commute was about 40 minutes round trip twice a day in the car. New commute a 15 minute walk; in the direction of both our jobs, instead of away like at our old school. Commute matters and think my kiddo's will be happier and safer out of the car. Sad to leave our loving school community, but it just makes sense for us.

Find restaurants you can eat at often or be prepared to eat in your car a lot. It is just reality if you are doing these long commutes. We do Brookland to tenleytown and then down to Eaton and the biggist issue has been how often we eat out because the kids are just too hungary by the time I pick up.

Anonymous wrote:


I believe the section of Rock Creek Park she is referring to is actually Beach Drive off of Porter Street (assuming this is the Exxon off of CT Avenue at Porter Street) and is therefore not one way in the morning or afternoon commute. I actually think this is a good route.

Correct. The one way traffic pattern begins at the exit for Connecticut/Cathedral, right at the Connecticut Ave bridge. The area north of that is Beach Drive and not subject to the one way traffic patterns.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm bad with street names, but know how to get around. If you're coming from Glover Park, enter into Rock Creek park by the Exxon gas Station and take one of those streets that leads you to Washington Hospital Center. Columbia Road I think it is? Then you will make a left on Michigan Ave.

Maybe I'm mixing it up but my understanding is that Rock Creek parkway is all one-way southbound in am and northbound in the pm. So going north-ish from Glover Park to Washington Hospital Center on the Parkway is not an option. In fact, that leg is going to be the most problematic one.

OP, you should try the drive a few days in the morning and evening before summer break to get a feel for your commute times.

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I believe the section of Rock Creek Park she is referring to is actually Beach Drive off of Porter Street (assuming this is the Exxon off of CT Avenue at Porter Street) and is therefore not one way in the morning or afternoon commute. I actually think this is a good route.

PP, she would be going from Glover Park to Brookland and then to Dupont for work, then reversing in the evening. Not at all the same as what you do.

I don't think it's a nightmare any more than those of us who commute from Brookland all over town and back for our kid's schools and work.
My kids now do Brookland to G'town and back every day..I also do Brookland to Clevenland park and back..it's not insane. I also do down to Dupont three days a week and back up to Brookland. Before 6pm is key..between 6 and 7 is not great.
I think you can do it and will find that there are varying ways through the park (check out Upshur) that can make a difference. The traffic from Brookland to NW in the evening can be ok, all depends on time and route.

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I don't care how you do it... if you don't know the side streets or alternative routes you will be forever stuck and frustrated in traffic in the District. DC is extremely easy to navigate...you have to know how to avoid the avenues and use the number streets and letter streets to your advantage.

Anonymous wrote:Parents would also have to factor in the extra 10-15 minutes (depending on the age of your child) walk up Oakview Terrace hill. It is a beast!

Parent are not allowed to drive up the hill to drop off. We have drop off or park and walk up from Perry Street.

Very helpful to know!

Parents would also have to factor in the extra 10-15 minutes (depending on the age of your child) walk up Oakview Terrace hill. It is a beast!

Parent are not allowed to drive up the hill to drop off. We have drop off or park and walk up from Perry Street.

There is no way you would make it back to stokes by the aftercare ends. Get ready to pay the $25 late fee once you are 1 minute late. Also, after so many late they put you out of the aftercare program.

I think you summed it up OP

OP here. Thanks very much all. It is clear that unless we are able to move to the area of the school over the summer it is not worth the effort to attend. Stress, time, expense, etc. of driving on both parents and child would make it very bad proposition. Being relatively new to the area, much appreciate the dose of reality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School is Stokes in Brookland. Traveling from near Glover Park.

That sounds like a nightmare commute. I would not do it, unless I knew I was planning on moving relatively early in the school year.

Oh no, even worse. There is no good way to do this commute that is not going to be a major, time-sucking clusterfuck. You, and your child, will be miserable.