Carpools / kid transportation to Buckhead privates (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: transporting, townhome, private school)

[LM0121]

My daughter received acceptances today from Lovett, Galloway, Holy Innocents, and Mount Vernon, and she is waitlisted at Westminster and Pace. She is in a non-expansion year (third grade) and given the competitiveness of the ATL privates, I'm happy and relieved. Lovett is probably my first choice but I'm still evaluating.

We live in NYC and will be moving to ATL this summer. I'm considering Vinings, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs. I realize Sandy Springs in particular is a bit farther from Lovett, but there is a home / community there that I really love (Aria, on Abernathy and just east of Roswell). Commute to Lovett (if that's what we choose) would be 20-40 mins during the peak times.

I spoke to a Lovett parent today who assured me that there would be no problem getting into a carpool from Sandy Springs to Lovett. Can anyone confirm/deny - how available are these carpools, esp for a new family to town? Also Google tells me there are kids transportation companies in Atlanta but I'm not sure if they're really used or reputable. Do people use these types of services?

[PeteATL41]

You will find a carpool from Sandy Springs to Lovett. Depending where you end up there is bus service as well (Historic Brookhaven, Morningside etc.) Lovett will give you a parent directory so you can find families in your area

[CMMom]

I did a commute from north Sandy Springs (Northridge area) to a Buckhead private for ten years. I had a carpool for all but the last two years. I will tell you, however, that those last two years without a carpool were brutal. I spent an hour in the morning and about an hour and a half in the afternoon doing the round-trip drive. It definitely affected my productivity at work. I'm not sure who is telling you 20 minutes, but that is EXTREMELY optimistic.

Once the incoming classes are finalized (e.g., after the date families have to say yay or nay to the schools), most schools will provide a list of students by zip code. Then it's up to you to search out a carpool. Abernathy is a very congested area. Even with a carpool, you may have to meet your carpool partner(s) at a gas station/shopping center. So prepare for that possibility. I don't know anyone who has used a kid's transportation company. I would personally be hesitant but your mileage may vary.

If you are seriously considering Lovett, I would be looking hard at Vinings. It would make your life SO much easier.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by LM0121

My daughter received acceptances today from Lovett, Galloway, Holy Innocents, and Mount Vernon, and she is waitlisted at Westminster and Pace. She is in a non-expansion year (third grade) and given the competitiveness of the ATL privates, I'm happy and relieved. Lovett is probably my first choice but I'm still evaluating.

We live in NYC and will be moving to ATL this summer. I'm considering Vinings, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs. I realize Sandy Springs in particular is a bit farther from Lovett, but there is a home / community there that I really love (Aria, on Abernathy and just east of Roswell). Commute to Lovett (if that's what we choose) would be 20-40 mins during the peak times.

I spoke to a Lovett parent today who assured me that there would be no problem getting into a carpool from Sandy Springs to Lovett. Can anyone confirm/deny - how available are these carpools, esp for a new family to town? Also Google tells me there are kids transportation companies in Atlanta but I'm not sure if they're really used or reputable. Do people use these types of services?

I haven't used any of the kids' transportation companies, but several kids at my daughter's school used one in Dekalb County (for multiple years). Think it was Adams Transportation. Don't know if they are only in Dekalb or if they also do Fulton County.

Most of the schools facilitate carpools.

[cparker73]

If you choose to live in Aria, be prepared to deal with the traffic mess that is Abernathy because of its proximity to the Perimeter Center shopping and office district, which includes the new Mercedes USA HQ across the street from Aria. Because of its density as mainly a townhome community, you'll likely find neighbors with kids at those schools.

Ten to 15-minute commutes from Aria to Holy Innocents, Galloway and Mount Vernon are practically negligible compared to Lovett, which may involve hitting 285-W to 75-S and exiting at Paces Ferry or taking busy local streets through Buckhead. I'd say 40 minutes, including creeping through the carpool dropoff, is more realistic.

The private school scene here is crazy but nothing like NYC. Keep in mind that your choice for lower school may not be right for your family by upper school. Congratulations and good luck!

[LM0121]

Many thanks for everyone's input, it is extremely helpful.

How do carpools work? Does one family typically do both morning dropoff and afternoon pickup a couple times a week? Do people do carpools for only afternoon pickups, for example?

I am definitely trying to find something closer in Lovett, as I recognize the Aria-Lovett commute would basically really, really suck, even with a carpool

[CMMom]

Any way you want. One does AM, one does PM. Or one does MWF AM, one does T/Th AM and swap the next week. Even a one-way carpool (usually AM since kids have different after school activities) helps, trust me. One thing to consider: the person you carpool with may have younger kids than yours and need a booster seat. So think about that. Transporting booster seats back and forth sucks. When my older kids carpooled with younger kids, their mom bought two extras that I kept in my SUV.

[AtlJan]

Live close to the school. The commute can't be solved by a carpool--think doctor's appts, conferences, evening programs, class parties, forgotten sports bags, playdates with friends. Think picking child up at 3:00, returning for basketball game at 6pm. . .on Friday. There and back, there and back, there and back. So many headaches will be prevented by living close to the school.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

Live close to the school. The commute can't be solved by a carpool--think doctor's appts, conferences, evening programs, class parties, forgotten sports bags, playdates with friends. Think picking child up at 3:00, returning for basketball game at 6pm. . .on Friday. There and back, there and back, there and back. So many headaches will be prevented by living close to the school.

Totally agree!! There's a whole lot more to school than just getting them there in the morning and back in the afternoon.

[LM0121]

You all are right. I'm in Atlanta for a few days this week house-hunting and decided I should really try to stay within a 10 (maybe 15 min max) drive of school. Thanks all!