For many years, the Upper School’s traffic flow has been a constant struggle. From waking up at sunrise to barely making it on time, dealing with traffic on North Kendall Drive and

th Avenue has made the daily venture a hardship both then and now, according to many students. 

This academic year, a new traffic pattern has been enacted to ease the process of driving to school. It begins with changes to the morning drop-off process. In previous years, drivers could turn right into campus to enter or drop off students. Now, only those entering the student parking lot are permitted to turn right, while those dropping students off must turn left to reduce congestion. 

“I think being able to turn right and only have it be us students that are parking makes it much less congested and more organized which I appreciate alot,” senior David Padron said.

Additionally, drivers can now exit through 67th Avenue, providing two exit routes instead of one as in prior years. Despite this provision, although arrival once posed the main challenge, dismissal has now become the larger issue. 

“It takes me around 15 minutes to get out of my spot since the line is so backed up,” junior Sebastian Luna said.

Since its implementation, complaints about the influx of cars entering more on one side than the other have been circulating. According to critics, morning traffic has contributed to multiple students being marked late every day. 

“Some days I leave my house with an extra 15 minutes to save for traffic and have still arrived late due to all the traffic,” junior Olivia Cornelius said.

While administrators may seek conformance with rules they’ve established to serve the community, many Raiders are struggling to comply due to disciplinary action associated with tardiness caused by jams.

Upper School Head of Traffic Flow Vivian Pacheco discussed the new advantages and changes

to the traffic situation, including arrival and departure times, as well as the seniors’ lunch break. She explains why more cars are allowed into the school on North Kendall Drive versus 67th Avenue.

“67th Avenue’s [congestion] is a problem unrelated to our school, [and our new traffic policy]. I believe it’s the timing of the light on the US1 [street], so I addressed that with the city, and hopefully they can make a change,” Pacheco said. 

Some students have shared what they think about the traffic pattern and whether the way administrators are controlling where cars go once they enter campus.

“It has been easy for me to get into school, and I think the new traffic pattern works well.” Senior Luis Boschetti said.

Despite Boschetti’s endorsement of the new policy, statistics show there have been issues with arriving on time, possibly associated with the new flow of cars.  

Namely, on Sept. 3, there were a total of 97 tardies; Sept. 4, 67 tardies; Sept. 5, 102 tardies—days when traffic was at its peak according to the attendance.

“Students were having trouble [3:15 – 3:30] leaving, so I sent them an email and I said, if you guys [students] leave right at dismissal, we’re going to stop traffic, and let most of you go, and then continue the flow for the parents,” Pacheco said.

The system she described is designed to keep dismissal moving efficiently. Students are allowed to turn left before official dismissal, but once parents line up for pickup, that lane can quickly become blocked, according to Pacheco. Leaving promptly helps ease congestion and shortens everyone’s wait, as Pacheco explains. 

Some have questioned why one lane moves faster, but Pacheco said it’s intentional. 

“But sometimes it looks like that lane’s getting more action. But it has to—otherwise it blocks the one coming in. It’s a ripple effect,” Pacheco said. 

For some students, this logic has applied, making them in favor of the new policy.

“It takes me 15 minutes sometimes to get out of school because of where my [parking] spot is, but I think it [the amount of time it takes to leave] is slowly getting better since I can turn left out of my spot if I get to my car on time,” Junior Angelina Zapater said.

There is another new entrance for drop off that can improve the flow of traffic during arrival at the church right next to school. Students can be dropped off there, guiding them to a walkway and gateway leading to campus.. 

“We would really like more people to use that for drop off, because it really helps alleviate the traffic,” Pacheco said. 

With the school’s traffic flow being a concern or issue to many, the administration has made adjustments, aiming to make leaving and entering the school even a bit easier. Yet, ultimately, the traffic will be worse on some days than others, no matter what flow pattern is instituted.