Transportation
Walking to School
The preferred way of getting to and from school each day is on foot. If you live too close to qualify for school bus transportation, you live close enough to walk! Walking has many benefits over driving in cars:
- Exercise
- Community awareness
- Reduced traffic congestion
- Reduced pollution
- Increased road safety
- Increased safety for students who currently walk
Safe Walking Routes to John Hay (PDF)
Some facts to consider:
- Nationwide, 60% of children are driven to school in private vehicles
- Only 15% of children walk or bike to school, compared to 50% forty years ago
- Only 25% of students take the school bus
- 25% of morning traffic is from parents driving their children to school
- All students who attend school within their cluster are either eligible for transportation or live within walking distance (1 mile)
"Turning the Ride to School into a Walk," The New York Times
Read more tips on walking to school
School Bus Transportation
If you live more than one mile from John Hay, but within the Queen Anne-Magnolia cluster, you should be eligible for transportation. Bus transportation is available to and from local day care centers as well as your home or work address. Call 206-252-0900 to set up transportation for your child. Note that the Transportation Department is very busy at the start of school, so please make arrangements as early in the summer as possible. If you have difficulty reaching the Transportation Department, please contact the school office for assistance.
Metro Bus Transportation
Metro Route 4 stops at John Hay, and is a great way for older students or students accompanied by parents to get to school. Plan your trip to John Hay with Metro's TripPlanner.
Driving to John Hay
While driving is the most convenient transportation option for many families, it is the least desirable in terms of impact on the local community. Traffic around John Hay is very heavy before and after school, so we are striving to reduce the number of vehicles bringing students to school each day. If you must drive your child to school, please consider carpooling. Families who live out of the area and drive to John Hay can drop off students on the north side of the school, heading eastbound on Garfield Street in the staffed "Hay Way" dropoff zone (curb side only). Please do not park in bus zones, in front of driveways, on corners, or in areas with signage prohibiting parking. In addition, please drive slowly and avoid unsafe maneuvers such as U-turns. Thank you for your assistance in reducing traffic and promoting student safety.
