Union Station is one of the most connected transit hubs on the East Coast. Amtrak, MARC, VRE, and Metro converge here, making it the gateway to DC for tens of thousands of commuters from Maryland, Virginia, and beyond. If your family's daily routine already flows through or near Union Station, you know the value of proximity — and you know that every extra mile in a DC commute adds complexity.
Templeton Academy DC is located at Gallery Place/Chinatown — just one Red Line stop from Union Station, or a short walk through the Penn Quarter neighborhood. For families commuting from Maryland's MARC corridor, Virginia's VRE lines, or anywhere Metro reaches, Templeton is one of the most transit-accessible independent schools in the DC metro area.
Transit Accessibility from Every Direction
Templeton's Gallery Place/Chinatown location sits at the convergence of DC's transit network. Here's how families reach campus from major transit hubs:
From Union Station:
- Red Line: One stop to Gallery Place (approximately 3 minutes)
- Walking: Approximately 15 minutes through Penn Quarter
- For MARC, VRE, and Amtrak commuters, Union Station provides seamless connection
From MARC Train (Maryland corridor):
- Rockville, Germantown, Frederick → MARC to Union Station → one Red Line stop to Gallery Place
- College Park, Greenbelt → Green Line direct to Gallery Place-Chinatown
- Typical door-to-school time from MARC stations: 30–50 minutes depending on origin
From VRE (Virginia corridor):
- Fredericksburg and Manassas lines → VRE to Union Station → one Red Line stop to Gallery Place
- An option for families in outer Virginia suburbs who would otherwise face I-95 or I-66 traffic
From Metro:
- Red Line: Direct from Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma, NoMa
- Green/Yellow Line: Direct from College Park, Fort Totten, Shaw, Archives
- Orange/Blue/Silver Line: Direct from Arlington, Alexandria, Capitol Hill, Virginia suburbs
- All lines converge at or near Gallery Place, making Templeton accessible from virtually any Metro-served community
For families who drive, the NoMa/Gallery Place area provides parking options, and the campus is accessible via New York Avenue, North Capitol Street, and I-395.
Serving Commuter Families from MD and VA
Templeton was built for the reality of DC-area commuter life. Many of our families travel from Maryland or Virginia — and for those families, the school's transit accessibility isn't just a convenience. It's what makes independent school education in DC practical.
What commuter families find at Templeton:
- School drop-off integrates with work commute. If you're already riding MARC or Metro into DC for work, Templeton's Gallery Place location adds minimal time to your morning routine.
- Student Metro independence. Many Templeton students commute by Metro on their own — a normal part of DC independent school culture that reduces the daily logistics burden on commuting parents.
- Consistent, predictable commute. Unlike driving to suburban Virginia campuses (where I-66 and I-495 traffic can add 30+ minutes of unpredictability), Metro and MARC schedules are reliable. Your child's commute time is the same every day.
- Open to families from any state. Unlike DC public schools, Templeton's independent school admissions welcomes families from DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.
Urban Location Benefits
Templeton's Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood, adjacent to NoMa, Penn Quarter, and Capitol Hill, is one of the most vibrant and resource-rich areas of DC. For students, this means:
- Walking-distance access to the Smithsonian, National Mall, and government institutions — all integrated into Templeton's weekly Fieldwork program
- A safe, high-traffic environment for student arrival and departure during peak commuting hours
- Urban independence skills that suburban campuses can't develop — navigating the city, managing transit, and engaging with a diverse community
- After-school flexibility in a neighborhood with restaurants, libraries, and public spaces for families whose schedules don't align perfectly with dismissal time
What Commuter Families Find at Templeton
Beyond the commute, Templeton provides the educational experience that motivated families to look beyond their neighborhood school in the first place:
- Average class size of 10 students — every child is known, supported, and challenged
- Project-based learning through extended learning blocks of two hours and twenty minutes, developing critical thinking and creativity through sustained, meaningful work
- Core Advisory: daily mentorship with a dedicated faculty advisor who guides your child's academic and personal development
- Award-winning STEM program with nationally recognized student projects — including student research published in collaboration with Smithsonian researchers
- A 95% college acceptance rate to students' colleges of choice, with one-on-one college counseling beginning in ninth grade
- Tuition of $35,000/year with need-based financial aid available through Clarity
- No lottery required. Templeton's holistic admissions process is open to families from DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gallery Place area safe for student commuters?
Yes. Gallery Place/Chinatown is one of the busiest, most well-trafficked areas in DC. Students arrive during peak commuting hours alongside thousands of professionals. The station and surrounding blocks are well-lit and heavily monitored.
Can younger students manage the Metro or MARC commute?
Many families start by accompanying younger students and gradually transition to independent commuting as confidence builds. Templeton's admissions team can connect you with current commuter families to discuss how they handle the logistics.
How does the commute from Union Station work in practice?
It's remarkably simple. Exit Union Station, take the Red Line one stop to Gallery Place-Chinatown, and walk to campus. Total time from the MARC/VRE platform to school is approximately 10–15 minutes. Many students make this connection independently.
Plan Your Commute, Then Schedule a Tour
We invite commuter families to schedule a transit-friendly campus visit. Take your usual MARC, VRE, or Metro route and add one stop — see how easily Templeton fits into your existing commute.
Contact us to coordinate your visit.
Now enrolling grades 6–12.