“Sorry I’m Late, I Was Parking”

Parking Chaos At New Roads

“Sorry I’m late, I was parking,” is a phrase heard almost everyday at the beginning of class at New Roads. New Roads is one of the most prestigious private schools in Los Angeles with a top-notch arts program, countless student clubs and communities. Overall, it has a distinguished academic system— but there is one problem: we don't have a parking lot for students! 

For many student drivers, arriving to school early doesn't guarantee a free parking spot. At 8 a.m., students often arrive expecting to find parking, but instead find parents taking up all the parking spots in front of the school gates while they carelessly drink their lattes and wave goodbye to their children in slow motion. Several students must park in the neighborhoods or at 1 or 2 hour parking spots and leave class to pay for it. It's an everyday struggle for upperclassmen to find a parking spot each morning before the first bell and after lunch. Finding parking at New Roads has always been an issue, and this year even more so because every junior is getting their license as early as possible, unlike previous years when there were less student drivers. As their classes’ starting times creep closer, students tend to stress about being tardy to their class and worry that it will affect their studentship grade. “If I go off-campus during lunchtime, I will be late for my next class finding a parking spot,” says Anjali Jordan, a senior at New Roads. 

Teachers notice too. “I have countless students who show up late to my 8 a.m. classes claiming that they can't find a parking spot,” says Eric Scott, a New Roads mysteries teacher and baseball coach.

Money Down the Meter

Finding a parking spot near school is hard enough, paying for it every single day is even harder. With limited campus parking, dozens of students rely on nearby metered street spots. At $1.50 an hour, a full 7.5-hour school day costs around $11.25. By Friday, a student driver has spent upwards of $55, excluding additional hours spent at after-school activities.

“I estimate that I spend around $2,000 a year to park for school,” said Jordan.

She isn't alone. New Roads junior Leo Yaitanes reports spending at least $50 a week, while New Roads junior Iina Coulter-Bracey spends around $25 weekly depending on her schedule.

Whether it's $25 or $50 a week, the financial responsibility falls directly on students who are just trying to get an education.

The cost varies depending on how often and for how long each student leaves their car parked at a meter spot, but either way, students are paying out of pocket to get to class on-time.

Parking Solutions 

Administrators, teachers, and students are beginning to propose solutions to ease the parking chaos. 

To start, students and teachers suggest reaching out to local city departments to explore shared parking options. Scott emphasizes the potential for city collaboration: “We should communicate this issue to the Santa Monica departments and see if they can reserve some parking for New Roads students,” said Scott. Jordan also shares that the reserved spots for private owners and permit holders are empty all day. 

Another immediate fix could come in the form of parking passes or metered discounts. For upperclassmen, having access to dedicated spots for New Roads students only is particularly important. Since upperclassmen have the option to leave campus for lunch, many argue that reserved spots are necessary so they can peacefully return to class on time without losing their street parking. “There should be a student discount or passes for meter parking!” said Jordan.

Ideally, students would get their own New Roads authorized parking lot, but for that to happen the administrators would have to own another private property to fit the parking lot, a long term goal that would require many financial hurdles.