Parking at Local High Schools: Stress, Cost, and Competition

February 25, 2026 – By Avery Oram

For many students, getting a driver’s license feels like being granted a new level of freedom. But in MCPS, having a car doesn’t always mean having a place to park it. At many local high schools, student parking has become one of the most stressful and competitive parts of the school year some would say even harder than some classes. 

The problem starts with limited space. Most schools simply don’t have enough parking spots for every junior and senior who drives. As a result, students often have to apply for permits and hope their name gets picked. At some schools, it feels less like a normal process and more like a lottery. This affects Juniors a lot since seniors usually get priority when it comes to parking in the student lots. Not everyone who needs a spot gets one, even if they rely on a car to get to school or work.

Expensive Costs

In addition, cost adds another layer of pressure. Parking permits can be expensive, especially for students already paying for gas, insurance, and car maintenance. For teens with part-time jobs, the permit can feel necessary when they have the money. But for others, especially students who can’t afford it, it becomes a tough decision: pay the fee and lose money or take the risk of finding parking somewhere else that can sometimes not be as close to the school. 

Limited Spots

Because of the limited spots, competition gets intense. This factors into a lot of daily and morning stress because getting to school late can mean losing a good spot. As a junior at Winston Churchill High School, I leave my house 45 minutes before school starts just so I can get a somewhat decent spot. I still have to walk like 5 to 10 minutes and it’s not fun in the freezing cold especially with the ice. Also I am a junior so I don’t get first priority. Students try to apply as early as possible, and some plan their schedules around driving. Once permits are handed out, the remaining students are left searching for alternatives. That often means parking elsewhere or getting dropped off instead. Even then, there’s no guarantee those options will always be available. That means there will never be a great time to leave because you wont know how long it will take to find a spot. 

High Competition and Desire

Despite all of this, having a parking spot is still seen as a big deal. It represents independence, flexibility, and the ability to leave quickly after school. It also is very convenient. That’s why the competition stays so strong every year because the person with the best spot leaves first. 

In the end, student parking is about more than just convenience and independence. It reflects how many teens balance school, jobs, sports, and responsibilities outside the classroom. Until more space or new solutions are created, parking will likely stay one of the most stressful factors of the upperclassmen.