School choice and residential commute times

Abstract Using New York City Department of Education administrative data matched with transit information, we are able to better quantify commute time and path considerations as they relate to school choice programs. We find longer commutes from home markedly deter students from applying to even the most elite high schools. For the top public school, a student with a 20‐minute commute is 73% more likely to apply than one who lives 40 minute away. For two schools above the 99th percentile of performance, the differences are 232% and 138%. Finally, exam scores relate to how well students understand the admissions process.