Students get to school in different ways. Some take the bus, others drive, while others opt to walk to class. Each approach has it’s own advantages and disadvantages.
As of the 2010 census, there are 22,657,288 licenced drivers in the state of California.
Cultural norms dictate that getting a driver’s licences and ownership of a car are requirements for adulthood.
“I paid something like $2000 for my car,” junior Justin Fink commented.
Driving to school costs money. The registration fee for a car, money for the ever-increasing cost of gas, now 3% higher than it was in 2008, and last but not least, car insurance.
California Insurance Code §11580.1b  states that all drivers must a have motor vehicle liability insurance policy or make a deposit of $35,000 to the Department of Motor Vehicles as a prerequisite for vehicle registration.
Provided a student (or his parents) can afford a car, it can be the first major responsibility a student can have in his or her life.
Other students take the local SamTrans transit buses to school.
Youth passes cost $36, so to take SamTrans to school every day would cost around $360 per school year.
However, SamTrans is moving to the electronic Clipper card, which is already accepted by the Golden Gate Transit Authority, Muni, Caltrain and VTA.
But in order to purchase a youth (or senior) Clipper card, a “Clipper Youth and Senior Application Form” needs to be filled out from Clipper’s website and hand-deliver it to one of Clipper’s  service centers. The closest one to Carlmont is the SamTrans/Caltrain headquarters, located at 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos-hours are 8am to 5pm.
People who apply for the card need to bring valid proof of age, which can be done by showing your Birth Certificate, Driver’s License, California ID card, Passport, San Francisco city ID card, Consular Identification or a Alien registration/permanent resident card.
Other students opt for the free yellow buses provided by the School District.
“it’s crappy….ripped seats and everything, especially the midtown bus”, a student who wished to be identified as “Carlos” said.
Taking the yellow buses is a privilege, though; and it is very clearly stated on page 17 of our day planners that Board Policy 5131.1 gives the school (and the district) the right to deny transportation to any student who misbehaves or eats food on the buses.
Getting to school is important-we all need to be in class to receive an education. But as we grow older we have more options for getting to school. While some will drive, others will stick to the bus or walk in order to get to school.

Proof of Publication: http://issuu.com/scotscoop/docs/january_2012_highlander?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222