Transportation Procedures for Arrival and Dismissal
Below you will find instructions for arrival and dismissal. These routines have been developed to best achieve the Master Plan’s objective to expedite arrival and dismissal in the safest manner possible. It is the intent of these routines to give recognition to the impact of arrival and dismissal on the community as well as everyone at the school. We ask that only Summit roadways be utilized during arrival and dismissal. Please refrain from accessing the campus through private lanes adjacent to the school. Grandin Lane is a private lane and is not to be used for either drop off or pick up traffic. The Summit has assured our neighbors that we would remind you of this and we appreciate your cooperation to respect our neighbors and maintain good neighbor relations.
Access to the schools is available as follows:
- Montessori 7:45 a.m.
- Lower School 7:45 a.m.
- Middle School 8:00 a.m.
- Upper School 7:00 a.m.
Arrival and Dismissal routines are separated into those using bus transportation versus car transportation.
BUS TRANSPORTATION:
Start with the Admissions Office by calling 871-4700 ext. 261 to set up bus transportation (either with a district's bus service or the Cincinnciat Public School's Metro bus service for students in grades 7-12.)
- Arrival: All students arriving by bus will be dropped off in the Front Circle of the Main Building. Teachers from the Lower School will be present beginning at 7:45 am to direct students to their respective areas based on time of arrival. Students will be permitted to enter their division’s building according to the times listed above. Middle and Upper School students may proceed to the Main Building Dining Room beginning at 7:30 am where breakfast will be available.
- Dismissal: All students departing on buses for transportation home will depart from the Front Circle of the Main Building. Faculty members will escort Montessori, Lower School and Middle School students to the Front Circle area.
Students departing for athletic competitions or for the Athletic Complex will receive separate instructions from the Athletic Department as needed.
NOTE: For additional information on school district bus transportation to The Summit click here and for information on Cincinnati Public School Metro Bus transportation click here.
Car Transportation:
Arrival Procedures
Critical: For ARRIVAL ONLY parents should use the school entrance of the YOUNGEST student at The Summit.
Upper School (grades 9-12): Students with proper permission to drive (consult the Upper School office for permission details) should enter campus via the main
drive, turn right at the traffic circle and right again to enter the Breen Street Parking Lot. Parking is in lined spaces only. Lower School students arriving with an Upper School sibling who drives to school must be escorted to their school by the Upper School sibling. Between 7:00 and 8:00 am
Middle School students transported by an Upper School sibling should proceed to the Main Building Dining areas where there will be supervision.
Middle School (grades 5 – 8): Commuters arriving for Middle School at the Middle School building should enter using Herrick Street from Torrence Parkway. Proceed in either lane as far as possible toward the Middle School drop-off area. A Summit employee will assist vehicles with the necessary merge situations. The doors open at 8:00 am and students are greeted upon entering. Students arriving before 8:00 am should go to the Main Building Dining Room where there is supervision and breakfast.
Lower School ( Primary grades 1 – 4): Commuters arriving for Lower School at the Lower School building should enter using Convent Lane on the east side of the campus. During arrival, parents will use the right hand lane for travel to the Tower drop-off for the Lower School children; faculty will assist your child out of the car. A Summit employee will assist in directing merging traffic in front of the Lower School. Signs will mark the drop off area. Teachers will greet commuters beginning at 7:45 am. Students arriving with a Lower School sibling and destined for other divisions will be directed by faculty and staff through the Lower School building to their respective divisions.
Montessori School: Please see last section of this document for arrival and dismissal procedures.
Dismissal Procedures
Critical: For DISMISSAL ONLY parents should use the school entrance of the OLDEST student at The Summit. Note – this is different from the arrival procedures. Younger students will be assisted by faculty in their travel to the pick up area of their older siblings.
It is expected that all dismissals will be complete by 3:30 pm. If your student is not picked up by the completion of dismissal, Montessori through grades eight will be directed to the After School Care Facility. The After School Care Facility is located in the east end of the Main Building on the ground floor. The facility is accessible using the wheel chair entrance facing Flannery Gymnasium.
Safety and timeliness are important elements in our arrival and dismissal routines.
Upper School: Enter the Main Drive from Grandin Road. Proceed in the right hand lane to the first stop sign and park. Vehicles should park in a single lane nearest the curb. Upon dismissal, Upper School students may proceed using the western sidewalk to their vehicle. A Summit employee will assist vehicles in their u-turn and exit from the Main Drive to Grandin Road. When all buses have cleared the front circle of the Main Building, vehicles may proceed into the circle for student pick-up.
Middle School: Enter the school property using Herrick Street off of Torrence Parkway. Proceed in either lane as far as possible toward the Middle School pickup area. A Summit employee will assist vehicles with the necessary merge situations.
Lower School: Enter Convent Lane using the right hand (white) lane. Lower School and Montessori students will both be picked up in the Tower entrance area of the Lower School. Faculty will assist in matching students for pick-up. Once your students have been picked up please proceed south to the end of the center island. A Summit employee will assist in your u -turn to exit using Convent Lane.
Montessori School
DROP OFF/PICK UP INFORMATION FOR THE TODDLER PROGRAM ARRIVAL 7:45-8:15 DISMISSAL 11:05-11:15
For arrival and dismissal you may park in the South Lot behind the Lower School. The teacher will meet you at the door facing the playground.
ARRIVAL PRCEDURES FOR THE MONTESSORI 7:45 – 8:15 AM
All Montessori students arriving by car will enter Convent Lane and will proceed down the yellow arrow lane to the Lower School’s main entrance, where Montessori teachers will be present to greet and assist your child out of the car. All cars will exit Convent Lane. It is important to have the traffic flow easily and quickly as possible in the morning, therefore please do not park your car to assist your child into school.
If you should arrive after 8:15 a.m., a teacher will not be present outside to assist you, so proceed to the Montessori parking lot and park your car. Please escort your child to the Montessori office, sign your child in on the arrival log so they are not marked absent, then accompany your child to their class.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES FOR HALF DAY MORNING STUDENTS 11:05 – 11:15 AM
Parents please enter Convent Lane and proceed past the Lower School Tower and form two lanes within the South Parking Lot making a square around the parking lot. The first car of each row shall pull forward as far as the yellow poles (which protect the electric boxes). Parents will pick up their child at their classroom patio door. Please take your child by the hand and go directly to the car. We ask that you do not stop to play on the playground at dismissal with your child since the children who are in the full day program will be using the playground equipment.
AFTERNOON ARRIVAL PROCEDURES 12:15 – 12:25 PM
The following applies to HALF DAY AFTERNOON STUDENTS: Enter Convent Lane and proceed to the Lower School using the white arrow lane. Please park your car and walk your child up to your their classroom patio door at 12:15. Respectfully, we ask that you do not arrive before 12:15 pm due to the teachers’ lunch.
EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURES 3:05 - 3:15 PM FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE ONLY MONTESSORI CHILDREN TO PICK UP
Early dismissal parents will enter Convent Lane using the yellow arrow lane. Proceed past the Lower School Tower entrance area to form two lanes within the South Parking Lot making a square around parking lot. The first car of each row shall pull forward to the yellow poles. Please do not arrive before 2:50 pm so that the South Parking Lot is not blocked. At the beginning of the school year, a Montessori teacher will assist vehicles until the procedure is running smoothly. Please do not park in the yellow arrow lane, next to the median, in front of the Lower School; this will disrupt the flow of traffic.
MONTESSORI /LOWER SCHOOL REGULAR DISMISSAL 3:15 – 3:30 PM
If picking up both a Montessori and Lower School student at the regular 3:15 pm dismissal, please follow the yellow arrow lane on Convent Lane and proceed to the entrance door of the Lower School. If there is a change in the person picking up your child, please call Kim Bush in the Montessori office before 2:15 p.m. at 871-4700 Ext. 234. This will give her time to distribute this information to the classroom teachers.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAR LINE 3:15 – 3:30PM
If the oldest child is in the Middle or Upper School and has a younger sibling in the Montessori and/or Lower School, your child will be dismissed from the Middle School pick-up line. The Montessori children will gather at the Holmes Gym for your convenience.
BUS DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Montessori teachers will walk the children to the front of the Upper School and put them on the bus. It is important that you call the Montessori office before 2:15 p.m. if there will be a change in your child’s transportation.
DISMISSAL TIME WILL END AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 PM
Montessori dismissal will end at approximately 3:30 pm. Please keep in mind that teachers will need to attend meetings after school and prepare their classrooms for the next day; your promptness would be greatly appreciated. If you are going to be late picking up your child, please call Kim Bush at the Montessori office at 871-4700 Ext. 234. After school care will begin at 3:30 pm and will be available until 6:00 pm.
Tips for Efficient Arrival and Dismissal:
Arrive early for a few days until everyone settles in to the revised routines
- Cincinnati Police will be directing traffic at each entrance to the Summit
- Contact your Division Director with questions
- Be especially vigilant when you are approaching crosswalk areas
- Obey speed signs: 5 mph on the campus
- Pull your vehicle all the way to the curb to pick up and discharge passengers whenever possible
- Discharge passengers only from the right side of vehicle
- Respect and obey all Traffic Personnel: Both Summit and Cincinnati Police
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in these matters. We will remain watchful for areas that require adjustment to achieve the expected level of efficiency for all concerned.
