If one were to get on the 6:45 a.m. ferry to Vashon from Fauntleroy, they may notice an abnormal excess of adolescents present for such an early hour of the day.

What many don't know is that most of these unexpected adolescents are commuters. As students graduate from elementary and middle school, parents and children alike shy away from the prospect of enormous schools in the Seattle Public School District and the elite private schools all over the city. So they look outside the city limits.

Joseph Sutton-Holcomb, a junior at Vashon High School, has commuted to the Island from Port Orchard since eighth grade.

"(Vashon High) is a far preferable school compared to the alternative," he said. "My parents chose it for me, but South Kitsap has 3,000 students and a much lower graduation rate than Vashon, so I'm glad they did."

The Vashon Island School District is made up of approximately 1,500 students, 8 percent of whom are commuters. Chiefly from Port Orchard and West Seattle (a few come from Tacoma as well), these students have come to Vashon for various reasons. Vashon High is rated in the top 10 percent of schools in the state, and the student body is made up of around 500 students.

Some choose to do homework on the 20 minute crossing from Fauntleroy or 15 minute crossing from Southworth. Others nap, and many just chat with friends. Vashon school buses meet the ferries in the morning and transport students to school. Most days, however, the buses are overcrowded and many opt to take a Metro bus or catch a ride with a friend. Either way, the commute to Vashon can be grueling, not to mention time consuming.

School gets out at 2:25 p.m., and the next ferries for Fauntleroy and Southworth depart at 3:30 p.m., inconveniencing commuters with a one-hour wait at the ferry terminal after school.

"It just takes a lot of time out of the day. There's a lot of waiting to make connections between buses and boats," said Sierra Saunders, a West Seattle resident and senior at Vashon High who has commuted since her freshman year. "But I felt that Vashon High School offered an education and environment not available in Seattle."

Sutton-Holcomb, too, admits that commuting can be exhausting.

"Since I play soccer, my day to and from school is usually around 12 hours. It can be more," said Sutton-Holcomb. "But you get used to it, you develop a routine."

The students that commute must first go through an application process, and Vashon only accepts students without any previous academic or disciplinary infractions.

"A good attendance record is also a must," said Vashon principal Susan Hanson. "I would like to see that they meet state standards on the WASL, but that's not a requirement."

Once ensured that the students meet initial qualifications, Hanson selects students "first come first serve."

The students feel generally welcomed on Vashon, but what irks some Islanders is that commuter families don't pay any levy.

"We do get money from the state for our commuters," said Hanson. "But the basic allocation only covers about two-thirds or three quarters of what it takes to educate a student."

No matter the taxes though, if the schools have room, then eligible students are welcomed. Commuting to Vashon has become such a popular option for urban students that Hanson now has a waiting list, and these students seem to be right in their demand for spots. Saunders, Sutton-Holcomb, and Hanson all spoke the intimacy and feeling of community that Vashon provides along with its college-preparatory education.

"There's a mutual respect between most students and faculty members," said Saunders. "The biggest benefit of commuting is the education that I am receiving and opportunities and growth that the environment on Vashon has provided for me."

Natalie Dupille is a West Seattle resident who is one of those commuters and may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com