You guys get bussing for less than a mile??? We don't! Our cut off is 1.6k...that and under they walk. We live on a fairlyish busy road and I don't love the idea of my kids walking it at a young age. Not that it matter, they will have to be in before and after care anyways because of our work hours.
Our cut off is 2 miles. We're in a dense area so 90% of the students walk or are driven by parents.
DS goes to public school for Kinder. It is 10 min in traffic. He rides the bus in the morning and I pick him up from an after care program after school. First 1-5th his elementary is 12ish min away. We pass another public school in the same district to get to the one we are zoned for which annoys me.
The preschool where DD1 attended, and DD2 will start in w few years, is about a 15 minute drive. There are several closer but we loved that preschool.
The elementary school is a 10 minute walk, or a 2-3 minute drive. But the parking lot is a mess so it's much easier to just walk. There is a school bus, but we are the farthest stop so she'd be on the bus for 30 minutes before school. I'd rather walk her in, it's nice to have an easy family walk
DD1 (kinder): 25-30 minutes, no traffic. Typically 45-60 minutes tho. DD2 (preschool): 15 minutes. I refuse to allow our kids to attend school in the district in which we live. So, we drive to a school quite a bit away (we're in the suburbs, the school is in the city). Both girls should be in the same school next year so that will help. Yes, we pass many schools - but I would never send them there. We will never live within walking distance, and that makes me sad. But we will never be able to afford a home in the area the school is located. I grew up having long morning and afternoon commutes, as did DH. I really do wish it was different, but for now it is what it is.
DS is in preschool now and it's a 10 min drive door to door.
When he's in elementary, he'll either go to the charter school which is a 1-2 minute drive, maybe 5 minute walk away, OR he'll be bussed to the public school which is prob 10 minutes away.
We live within walking distance to our zoned elementary, middle and high which is nice. Farthest is the high school that is maybe a 10-15 minute walk. Right now DD is in 1st grade and gets dropped off for before/after school care. For me I wouldn't have wanted the drive to be more then 15 minutes in the wrong direction. I already have a 35-40 minute drive to work. If it was on the way I could have dealt with longer.