Arriving By Car and Carline Information
This page provides pick-up and drop-off information for all three divisions. If you have any questions at all, please email ImproveMyCommute@gds.org
GDS Car Cling Mailing Flyer 2022 23.pdfCarline Tips
No single-child drop-off is permitted for children in grades 2-12 except prior to 7:30 a.m. for students enrolled in the Early Grasshopper Program. More info about this requirement can be found in the Family-Student Handbook and the FAQs page of this minisite.
Know and Follow Neighborhood Restrictions
All pick-up and drop-off by car must be on campus. Dropping off or picking up in the neighborhood is strictly forbidden. You can visit the FAQs page or gds.org/transportation for more information and a map of area street restrictions.
Stay Alert, Stay Engaged, Stay Safe
When driving, keep phones away, pay attention to your surroundings, and follow directions from security and traffic personnel.
Model responsible choices and behavior. Drive with care and compassion.
Update your SchoolPass Profile
Did you know most carline delays are caused by cars who are flagged "unknowns" on SchoolPass because parents did not add their license plate on SchoolPass? Don't be a carline curmudgeon, follow these instructions on updating your SchoolPass profile
Morning Arrival
Please note, you should drop all students in your family off at the same time as duplicate trips to campus are not permitted. As a general rule, all students in the car should be dropped off at the time and place of the youngest student in the car.
Families with Students in PK-1st Grade (7:45-8:00)
Families with students in PK-1 will drop off on the Lower/Middle School Driveway.
Cars entering the 42nd Street entrance immediately turn right into the driveway.
Cars entering from the River Rd/HS garage entrance may turn left into the driveway. Watch for traffic directions from security personnel before turning.
All families should exit right onto Ellicott Street. Watch for merging traffic exiting the Lower/Middle School garage.
Families with Students in 2nd-8th Grades (7:45-8:00)
Families with students in 2nd-8th Grades drop off in the Lower/Middle School Garage.
Cars entering the 42nd Street entrance will continue along Davenport Street to make a right turn into the LMS garage. Follow signs and cones for traffic flow.
Cars entering from the River Rd/HS garage entrance may proceed straight into the LMS garage. Watch for traffic directions from security personnel before crossing the parking area or entering the garage.
You may exit by turning right onto Ellicott Street or exit the garage onto the main campus to exit right on River Road or 42nd St.
Families with Students in High School (7:00-8:45)
Families with students in High School may drop off at the front door of the HS. No circulation pattern is defined at this time as on-campus traffic is not an issue during HS drop-off.
Families entering from 42nd St. will loop around at the traffic circle to drop off in front of the HS school building. Exit onto 42nd St.
Families entering from the River Rd garage should exit the garage onto campus and proceed to the front door of the High School.
Students who drive themselves to school should not enter carline. Lower and Middle School students who arrive with a HS driver should enter the HS building and exit through the main doors, using the sidewalks and crosswalk to get to the Lower/Middle School building.
Afternoon Dismissal
Please note, you should pick up all students in your family off at the same time as campus re-entry is not permitted during carline. As a general rule, all students in the car should be picked up at the time.
Do not arrive early - families who arrive before their pick-up time will be asked to leave campus and come back at their bell time. Aim to arrive around or shortly after your carline starts.
When and where should I pick up my child(ren)?
First Bell / 3:00-3:15
Location: LMS Driveway
Who: PK-2 students only.
If you have more than one child in PK-2, they will all be picked up during 1st Bell on the Driveway.
If you have a child in PK-2 but have other children in Grades 3+, your pick-up is 3rd Bell.
Second Bell / 3:15-3:30
Location: HS Garage
Who: High School students only.
If you have more than one child in High School, they will all be picked up during 2nd Bell.
If you have a child in High School, but have a child in at least one other division, your pick-up is 3rd Bell.
Third Bell / 3:35-4:00
Location: LMS Garage
Grades 3-8 and all cross-divisional siblings
Families who miss 1st Bell pick-up will have to pick-up during 3rd Bell.
HS Students who drive themselves and a sibling or carpool should pick up their passengers as a walker and walk them back to their vehicle in the HS garage.
First Bell (PK-2 Families ONLY)
No first bell drivers may arrive prior to 2:50 p.m.
First Bell pick-up will run on the LMS Driveway from 3:00-3:15. Families should enter from 42nd Street - access from the HS garage is not advised.
The carline will proceed throughout the full surface lot, around the lower traffic "circle" and back up to the driveway, where all families will turn left at the direction of traffic control.
Second Bell (HS Families ONLY)
No second bell drivers may arrive prior to 3:05 p.m.
Second Bell pick-up will take place exclusively in the HS garage. We advise only entering from River Rd as you will likely be caught in traffic coming through 42nd.
Exiting onto River Rd. is a right-turn-only if traffic personnel is not present. Watch for pedestrians when exiting.
Third Bell (3-8th Grade Families and Siblings)
No third bell drivers may arrive prior to 3:25 p.m.
Arriving early causes traffic to back up onto neighborhood streets, delaying the carline and endangering families. Plan to arrive closer to 3:35 p.m. (not before 3:25 p.m.).
The plurality of GDS families will be picking up during 3rd Bell.
Cars should enter campus from 42nd Street and follow the queuing pattern shown to the left.
Note: the exact "serpentine" in the garage may vary slightly in practice. Please watch for cones, signs, and traffic directions from security personnel.
If your child is in Middle School athletics, please use the Middle School Athletics calendar to decide where to pick them up.