Apex Friendship Middle School | Carpool Procedures

Please be aware that carpool procedures have changed for the 2025-2026 school year.

General Information:

• Students may enter the building at 7:45am.

• Adult supervision is not available prior to 7:45 for any students who are not riding a bus to school. We encourage families to arrive as close to 7:45am as possible to reduce wait time in the carpool line.

• It is unsafe to drop off or pick up students in a different manner other than what is provided below or anywhere other than the AFMS carpool loop.

Morning Drop-off Procedures:

1. Cars enter campus where you see our sign: Apex Friendship Middle School. This sign is located off of Humie Olive Road.

2. Carpool starts as one lane and then expands into two lanes at the first right turn. Cars should fill both of the entrance lanes. (See blue lanes on map)

3. As the two entry lanes near the drop-off area, cones will direct the two lanes to merge together into one lane. (See the two blue lanes merging into one orange lane on map).

4. It is critical that cars alternate back and forth between the two lanes, merging into a single lane through a zipper pattern. An AFMS staff member will assist in directing cars near the point where the two lanes merge into a single lane for drop off and pickup.

5. Cars should continue ahead into the orange unloading/loading area and fill the space between them and the next car before stopping. Students may only exit the vehicle from the curbside door once the car is fully stopped in the unloading area (orange). 

6. When the car is empty and there is a straight path open ahead, cars may exit following the green exit lane seen on the map. Cars may not pass other cars or change lanes before or after dropping off. 

General Morning Drop Off Information: 

• The parking lot is for visitors only - drop-off and pick-up are not permitted in the parking lot. 

• Students must remain in their car until it is fully stopped in the orange unloading zone.

• Cars should not change lanes or pass other cars at any point and should wait for the cars in front of them to move. Remember to stay to your right as you exit the carpool loop because there may be two-way parking lot traffic.

• AFMS staff will be positioned along the drop-off and pick-up areas to assist with this process.

Afternoon Pick-up Procedures: *Note that steps 1-4 are the same process for both morning and afternoon carpool.

1. Cars enter campus where you see our sign: Apex Friendship Middle School. This sign is located off of Humie Olive Road.

2. Carpool starts as one lane and then expands into two lanes at the first right turn. Cars should fill both of the entrance lanes. (See blue lanes on map)

3. As the two entry lanes near the pick-up area, cones will direct the two lanes to merge together into one lane. (See the two blue lanes merging into one orange lane on map)

4. It is critical that cars alternate back and forth between the two lanes, merging into a single lane through a zipper pattern. An AFMS staff member will assist in directing cars near the point where the two lanes merge into the single lane for drop off and pickup.

5. All vehicles should be stopped at the stop sign directly in front of the school until students are dismissed.

6. When students are dismissed, staff will allow cars to begin filling in the pickup area. Pickup will take place in the area between the flag poles and the fire hydrant in front of the building (See orange lane on map). Please be sure to pull all the way up, leaving no gaps between you and the car in front of you.

7. Students will be directed to only get into their vehicles when they have pulled up and are against the curb in the pick-up area. During afternoon pickup, students will not be permitted past the area near the flag poles to get into a vehicle.

8. Once you have picked up your student, you may pull out and slowly exit the carpool loop.

General Afternoon Pickup Information: 

• Students may not walk across lanes of traffic or go beyond the flagpoles to enter a car. Pickup may not take place in any location outside of the carpool.

• Please stress to your student(s) that they need to report to carpool promptly following the 3:00pm bell. If cars ahead of you have left, but your child still has not yet reported to the carpool area, continue moving forward to allow room for vehicles behind you to pull forward and pick-up their students.

• Please do not use cell phones as you pull into the loading area. This jeopardizes the safety of students, staff, and other parents.

• Carpool should be completed by 3:30pm each day and is typically completed at 3:20pm. Only students supervised by a teacher, coach, or other staff member may remain on campus.

Thank you for following these procedures! You are helping our carpool run safely and efficiently.