Carpool

Carpool: Safety & Procedures

Starting September 2025

With the opening of our new Lower School, carpool routes are changing to make drop-off and pick-up smoother and safer for everyone. Please review the instructions below based on your child’s division.

Note: All vehicles with a Lower School student—even if you also have Middle or Upper School students—will follow the Lower School route.

Carpool Safety

Arrive only during your designated time. We stagger dismissal times to keep students safe and the carpool lanes moving smoothly.
Drive courteously and be patient.
Observe the 15 mph campus speed limit.
Please, no cell phone use while driving on campus.
Always signal before pulling out of a carpool lane.
One-way traffic times 7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. One-way traffic on central campus roads during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times allows safer, quicker traffic flow at peak hours. Please do not exit the main Falls Road gate during these times. Use the Democracy Boulevard gate or Stadium gate instead.

Traffic Map

Bullis traffic pattern map for carpool 2025-26 — *Click to view larger image.*

Drop-off & Pick-up Instructions

Note: All vehicles with a Lower School student (even if you also have Middle or Upper School students) will follow the Lower School route.

Lower School

Drop-Off: 7:45 - 8:00 a.m. (Drop-off no earlier than 7:35 a.m.)

Enter campus at the main gate at Falls Road.
Turn right onto the new loop road.
Stay in the left lane and continue to the front of the new Lower School (near the Democracy Road exit).
When the car ahead begins unloading, your child should get out on the left side ONLY. Please plan seating accordingly—passenger side front seats cannot be used for drop-off.
After drop-off, bear right and exit via the Democracy Gate.

Pick-Up: 3:15 - 3:25 p.m.

Note: If you have a Lower School student, all children in your family (including Middle and Upper School students) should be picked up at the Lower School. Older siblings should walk to the Lower School after school unless they are staying for after-school programs.

Enter at the main gate at Falls Road.
Turn right onto the new loop road.
Stay in the left lane and continue to the front of the new Lower School.
After pick-up, bear right and exit via the Democracy Gate.

Lower School students not picked up by 3:35 p.m. will be escorted to Extended Day.

Middle School

No major changes unless you also have a Lower School student—then follow the Lower School instructions!

Drop-Off: 7:45 - 8:00 a.m. (Drop-off no earlier than 7:35 a.m.)

Enter campus at the main gate at Falls Road.
Turn left at the flagpole.
Option 1: Cross-Campus Road
- At the stop sign, turn right onto the Cross-Campus Road.
- Lane guidelines on Cross-Campus Road:
  - Left Lane (Blair): Students must exit on the left side ONLY, onto the sidewalk by Blair.
  - Right Lane (South Hall): Students going to South Hall, North Hall, or the Marriott Library must exit on the right side ONLY, next to the buildings.
- Students should exit the vehicle quickly and safely. Make sure they have all belongings ready and easily accessible before arriving—please avoid using the trunk unless absolutely necessary.
- Drop-off begins as soon as the car in front of you stops and students begin getting out. Please wait until then to let your student exit.
- Turn left and exit at the Democracy Boulevard gate.
Option 2: Tennis bubble
- Continue straight toward the tennis court drop-off area.
- Stay in the left lane (do not turn right onto the cross-campus road).
- Continue straight through the stop sign.
- Students should exit the vehicle quickly and safely near the tennis bubble. Make sure they have all belongings ready and easily accessible before arriving—please avoid using the trunk unless absolutely necessary.
- Drop-off begins as soon as the car in front of you stops and students begin getting out. Please wait until then to let your student exit.
- Exit at the Stadium Gate.

Important Seating Tip: Please have your student sit on the side of the car that matches where they’ll be getting out—this keeps things moving and ensures everyone’s safety.

Pick-Up 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Regular pick-up (no athletics and students who are participating in end-of-day activities on the upper part of campus:
- Same as drop-off.
If your student(s) is participating in athletics:
- Pick up your student(s) at the Athletic Center every day, including Tuesdays.
- Enter at the main gate at Falls Road.
- Turn left at the flagpole.
- Stay in the left lane.
- Continue straight past the crossroad.
- Pick-up your student(s) in front of the Athletics Center.
- Exit at the Stadium Gate.

Upper School

No major changes unless you also have a Lower School student—then follow the Lower School instructions!

Note: Students who are driving themselves, and have a parking pass, will turn left, stay in the left lane and pull into their appropriate parking lot.

Drop-Off: 7:45 - 8:00 a.m. (No earlier than 7:35 a.m.)

Enter campus at the main gate at Falls Road.
Turn left at the flagpole.
Option 1: Cross-Campus Road
- At the stop sign, turn right onto the Cross-Campus Road.
- Lane guidelines on Cross-Campus Road:
  - Left Lane (Blair): Students must exit on the left side ONLY, onto the sidewalk by Blair.
  - Right Lane (South Hall): Students going to South Hall, North Hall, or the Marriott Library must exit on the right side ONLY, next to the buildings.
- Students should exit the vehicle quickly and safely. Make sure they have all belongings ready and easily accessible before arriving—please avoid using the trunk unless absolutely necessary.
- Drop-off begins as soon as the car in front of you stops and students begin getting out. Please wait until then to let your student exit.
- Turn left and exit at the Democracy Boulevard gate.
Option 2: Tennis bubble
- Continue straight toward the tennis court drop-off area.
- Stay in the left lane (do not turn right onto the cross-campus road).
- Continue straight through the stop sign.
- Students should exit the vehicle quickly and safely near the tennis bubble. Make sure they have all belongings ready and easily accessible before arriving—please avoid using the trunk unless absolutely necessary.
- Drop-off begins as soon as the car in front of you stops and students begin getting out. Please wait until then to let your student exit.
- Exit at the Stadium Gate.

Important Seating Tip: Please have your student sit on the side of the car that matches where they’ll be getting out—this keeps things moving and ensures everyone’s safety.

Pick-Up: 3:10 p.m.

If you are waiting for students after 3:15 p.m. please park in the senior lot.

Regular pick-up (no athletics and students who are participating in end-of-day activities on the upper part of campus:
- Same as drop-off.
If your student(s) is participating in athletics:
- Pick up your student(s) at the Athletic Center every day, including Tuesdays.
- Enter at the main gate at Falls Road.
- Turn left at the flagpole.
- Stay in the left lane.
- Continue straight past the crossroad.
- Pick-up your student(s) in front of the Athletics Center.
- Exit at the Stadium Gate.