Now Accepting Applications for 2025–2026! — Become a Part of Our Chameleon Community

Arrival, Dismissal, and Parking Policies

Arrival and Dismissal

You can view our campus map here.

Method of TransportationGateParking
DrivingHarewood Gate Monday–Friday 7:15 a.m.–9:15 a.m. & 3:15 p.m.– 6:15 p.m. Use Eagle Gate When Harewood Gate is closedLot 5 ONLY! Parking is prohibited in these areas: •Lot 2 (Lincoln’s Cottage lot closest to the playground) •In front of Stanley Chapel •Lot 4 (the residents’ lot closest to the school).
Walking or BikingEagle Gate At all timesFind bike racks near the Main Hall entrance (door 6 on our campus map).

Arrival Policies

  • The school day begins at 8:45 a.m. for all students.
  • Drop-off begins at 8:15 a.m.
  • Please do not arrive for drop-off before 8:15 a.m., unless you are dropping off a child for Before School, which starts at 7:15 a.m. Students in prekindergarten through 4th grade must not be left unattended.

  • Enter and exit through Harewood Gate
  • Park only in Lot 5
  • Walk to the school building using crosswalks
  • Staff members will show your child where to go

  • Enter and exit through Harewood Gate
  • Park only in Lot 5
  • Walk to the school building using crosswalks
  • Staff members will show your child where to go

  • Enter and exit through Eagle Gate.
  • Proceed to the Main Entrance.
  • Staff members will show your child where to go.

Dismissal Policies

Dismissal times (Monday–Friday) are as follows:

  • Prekindergarten-4th: 3:30 p.m.
  • 5th-8th: 3:40 p.m.

Please note: Family members are not permitted to retrieve their students for Early Dismissal after 3:00 p.m.

Dismissal Area: Main Entrance

Parking Options:

  • Use the carpool lane and pull up the Main Entrance.
  • Park in Lot 5 and walk to the dismissal area.

Dismissal Area: Grassy lawn next to Stanley Chapel

Parking: Park in Lot 5 and walk to the dismissal area

In the case of inclement weather, students are picked up either inside or outside the school building. Staff members will be on hand to direct families.

During inclement-weather dismissal, please follow these procedures:

  • If driving, park only in Lot 5.
  • If picking up a prekindergarten student, you may park or stand in front of the school building, space permitting. If there are no open spaces in front of the school you must circle through the carpool lane or park in Lot 5 and walk to the building.

Inclement-weather dismissal takes longer than our usual dismissal process. Thank you for being patient.

Driving & Parking on Campus

Our landlord, the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), takes driving and parking seriously. Please follow the instructions of AFRH security personnel, who can ticket cars and cite drivers for infractions. A family member may lose the privilege of driving or parking on campus with continued infractions. Creative Minds does not have the authority to revoke AFRH decisions.

When walking on campus, please use sidewalks and cross only at crosswalks; do not cross anywhere else. See our campus map for the locations of the entrance and exit gates and the Creative Minds parking lot for families and visitors.

  • Drive slowly! The speed limit is 15 mph.
  • If you’re talking on your phone while driving on campus, you must use a hands-free device.
  • Enter and exit campus through Harewood Gate, at 60 Harewood Road NW, from 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Enter and exit through Eagle Gate, at 140 Rock Creek Church Road NW, whenever Harewood Gate is closed.
  • Carpool when possible.

Creative Minds’ use of the parking areas on campus has been strictly defined, and we must adhere to the rules to maintain our parking privileges.

Parking in unauthorized spaces is illegal and may result in the AFRH ticketing cars and revoking a family’s driving privileges and access to campus. If infractions continue, it is possible that all parking for Creative Minds families will be prohibited.

  • Park ONLY in Lot 5.
  • DO NOT park or stand in Lot 2 (closest to the play space), not even for afternoon dismissal.
  • DO NOT park in spaces for AFRH residents or Creative Minds staff.

The drop-off lane is available from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

  • SLOW DOWN in the drop-off lane.
  • Pull up to the curb but not onto the sidewalk. Proceed carefully and stay aware of the many children around you.
  • Pull up all the way to the end of the lane. Move quickly to help your child out of the vehicle; staff are there to assist.
  • DO NOT park in the drop-off lane or leave your car unattended, not even for a few minutes.
  • DO NOT leave your vehicle in fire lanes or areas marked by cones at any time.
  • DO NOT double park in the drop-off lane or block the handicapped spots at the end of the drop-off lane.