Washington Christian Academy
Transportation Plan Information
For 2011 – 2012 School Year
The WCA Transportation Plan is part of the legal obligations we must meet in order to occupy
and service our home on Batchellors Forest Road. The county has placed restrictions on the
number of trips that come in and out of the campus during peak traffic hours. Our transportation
plan must adhere to those limitations. Please read through this document as it will describe our
transportation plans and provide the information you need to complete the Transportation
Request Form. We are seeking to optimally fulfill two purposes:
1) to maximize convenience for school families
2) to meet county mandated traffic restrictions
To that end, the WCA plan includes two major components:
1) a no-cost bus service provided by an outside bussing company
2) strong encouragement and support for carpooling
To adequately plan for next year’s transportation and ensure we are within the compliance limits,
WCA needs to track and regulate the to/from school transportation for every student. Therefore,
each family must complete a Transportation Request Form and return it with your
reenrollment/enrollment packet. Please note that your packet is not complete without this form.
It is our goal to approve each family’s preferred alternative. If our legal obligations do not allow
us to approve a family’s preferred alternative, we will work individually with that family to find
an alternative that is as convenient as possible. As we approve requests for the bus service, we
will be giving preference to families that live furthest away from the school. For those who
selected carpooling, we will be giving preference to the carpools that have the most students.
School will once again begin at 8:00 am during the 2011-2012 school year. Students will be able
to arrive at school beginning at 7:30 am.
Bus Service Information
If the bus is your first choice, select the stops convenient for you in order of preference by
putting sequential numbers (1,2,3…) in the “Preferred Order” column. List the names of the
students that will be riding the bus. The busses are scheduled to arrive at WCA by 7:50 a.m. and
depart in the afternoon at 3:05 p.m.
Carpool Information
If you live closer than the bus routes, or if the bus routes are not convenient for you, carpooling
is another option. Each carpool needs to have a minimum of three students, but isn’t required to
have students from more than one family. That is, if you have three (or more) WCA students in
your family, then you could be your own carpool!
We recognize that it is still early to create a carpool for next school year. However, if you know
now who will be in your carpool you may list them. To help you organize convenient carpools,
we will make zip codes lists available. Please notify the school when you know who is in your
carpool, but no later than August 15, 2011.
When planning your carpool routes, please be aware of one important issue. As a condition of
our county approval, we have agreed to minimize the traffic on Batchellors Forest Road by
having our school families enter and exit the school property from the west, toward Georgia
Avenue.
Students Driving
We will continue allowing students to drive to school, but this will be limited by our traffic
restrictions and the number of parking spaces available at the campus. To minimize traffic, any
student driver needs to have at least one additional student riding along. (Please see above for
additional information about determining who will ride in your car). As we approve student
drivers, preference will be given in grade order (seniors first) and then to student drivers bringing
the most students in their vehicle. Students approved to drive will receive a parking pass and be
assigned a parking space.
Due to the limited number of student parking spaces, some student drivers may be placed on the
waiting list for an on-campus parking space. If you are placed on the waiting list you may still
drive to school, but you must park across the street at Olney Manor Park. Students not assigned
parking spaces should not be driving onto or parking on the campus.
Other Alternatives
Students are welcome to arrive at school using public transportation, riding a bike or walking.
There are convenient Metro/Ride-On bus stops on Georgia Ave. close to Batchellors Forest Rd.
Approval
You will be notified of your approved method of transportation with your Enrollment
Confirmation Letter.
Washington Christian Academy
Transportation Request Form
For the 2011 – 2012 School Year
Please indicate your preferred method of transportation for the coming school year by completing the appropriate
section below. We will evaluate and approve the forms. You will be notified of your approved method of
transportation with your enrollment confirmation letter.
Ride the WCA Bus
Rank, in order of preference, at least three stops which you are requesting and list each student.
Preferred Bus Route Bus Stop Pick Up Drop Off Student(s)
Order Time Time
# 1 – South East A – White Oak – Sears Auto, 7:10 am 3:40 pm
Silver Spring
# 1 – South East B – Plaza Del Mercado, Silver 7:35 am 3:20 pm
Spring
# 2 – South West A – Rockville Metro – West 7:10 am 3:40 pm
Side Kiss and Ride
# 2 – South West B – Glenmont Metro 7:35 am 3:20 pm
# 3 – North East A – Chick-fil-A, John’s Hopkins 7:00 am 3:50 pm
Rd., Fulton/Laurel/Maple
Lawn
# 3 – North East B – Burtonsville Crossing – 7:20 am 3:35 pm
Burger King
# 4 – North West A – Quince Orchard/Clopper 6:55 am 3:45 pm
Rds.- Staples, Gaithersburg
# 4 – North West B - Laytonsville – 7-11 7:15 am 3:25 pm
Participate in a Carpool
Each vehicle must bring a minimum of 3 WCA students. If you know now, list the names of all the students
(your children and others, if applicable) that will be included in this carpool. Also list the names of other parents
that will be driving. If you do not know now, you can finalize your carpool later.
Students (if known). If blank, you will wait for the lists. Drivers
1. 2. 3. 1.
4. 5. 6. 2.
Students Drive to School
Students driving to school must also bring at least one additional student. Preference will be given in grade order
(seniors first) and then to student drivers bringing the most students in their vehicle.
Student Driver Additional Students (if known).If blank, you will wait for the lists.
1. 2. 3.
Take Public Transportation, Ride a Bike or Walk
Students
I have selected my preference(s) and I understand that WCA will approve and notify our family of the mode of
transportation we will be allowed to use during the 2011-2012 school year.
Name: ______________________________ Address: _________________________________
Signature: ___________________________ Daytime Phone: ___________________________
2/11/2011