If you have ever wondered why we cannot paint senior parking or why parking passes cost a hefty $200, you are not alone. Students have been buzzing with questions about the school’s parking situation—and Principal Shawn DeRose is here to answer some of these questions.

First, let’s talk about money. “We do not make a lot of money off of parking, especially compared to all the other FCPS high schools,” DeRose explained.

Despite the $200 price tag at the start of the year, We only gets 15% of the revenue, which, according to 2022 data, adds up to about $2,000.

“That money is put into what’s called ECA funds. Those funds can be used towards food for staff, merch, and other things. It gets me a little bit of flexibility because I do not get a lot of funds for the staff,” he said.

Still, many students feel like the high cost is not worth it, especially since there are workarounds.

“A lot of students just park behind the church to avoid paying the fee,” sophomore Darling Saveedra said.
While this is technically allowed, it does not solve the problem for everyone, and some students wish the school’s parking system was more accessible.

“If you look at the number of kids who got their license at age 16 twenty years ago compared to now, that same sense of importance around getting a driver’s license has trended downward nationwide,” DeRose said.

So, with fewer cars in the lot, what is stopping seniors from being able to paint their own parking and live up to a nation-wide tradition?

There is a little-known fact that might surprise you: the student parking lot is not even owned by the school.
This limits seniors’ ability to paint their spots.

“We do not do senior parking because it is not school property—it is Ossian Hall park, which Fairfax County owns,” DeRose revealed.

Even though painting senior parking might not be a thing, taking DeRose parking spot at the front of the school sounds great.

“I changed my parking spot into one for the PTSA. They use it for a silent auction—people join the PTSA, and a parking spot is one of the items up for bid.”

While senior parking may not be a reality anytime soon, the school’s parking policies aim to balance accessibility, equity, and the needs of the entire community.

So, whether you are a senior dreaming of your own spot or just trying to figure out where that $200 goes, it is clear that the admin is trying to make the parking system fair.