Our carpool drop-off and pick-up system was professionally designed with safety and efficiency as top priorities! We know it's not always a fun process for parents, but it IS the most efficient way to move 900 students in and out of our building (and match them with the right cars). :) You can read more about carpool on our carpool web pages.
At the beginning of the school year, the afternoon pick-up carpool process is always slower -- our veteran parents know how it goes! :) But this does not mean the carpool process is broken or poorly designed. There are several reasons that the first few weeks are crazy, and it ALWAYS resolves itself because:
- New parents and students learn the process and the rules.
- Parents stop driving their own students and start carpooling.
- Extracurricular activities start and the pick-up process naturally staggers.
We want to keep your students and our staff safe, first and foremost! Please follow the carpool rules and we'll send you reminders throughout the school year:
- DO NOT line up on Mira Vista Lane before 3:20 pm.
- DO NOT park in the Elk Ridge Park parking lot while wait for carpool.
- DO NOT go the wrong way through the American Academy roundabout or into the American Academy parking lot.
- DO NOT go around the incoming carpool lines on Mira Vista Lane for any reason.
- DO NOT use your cell phone while in active/moving carpool. We are VERY serious about this rule -- if an attendant sees you on your phone, you may be stopped from moving forward until you turn off and put away your phone and yes, that means that in the process you will be holding up the line everyone else -- don't be that parent! :)
- ALWAYS use the crosswalks between the parking lot and the school!
- ALWAYS behave respectfully and follow posted laws if you have to park on public streets around the school. We know you are sometimes in a hurry -- we get it -- but the safety of our students, staff and parents must come first before convenience. Thank you for understanding!