Point Roberts, Washington, is considered part of the mainland United States, but it’s only connected by land to Canada. Although its connection to Canada is similar to Alaska, it’s not as far from the rest of the mainland United States as Alaska — only 8 miles across the water. The nearest large city is Vancouver, British Columbia, at roughly 22 miles away. The Point Roberts school only serves children from kindergarten through third grade. Older kids are shuttled on a 40-minute school bus ride that takes them out of the United States, into British Columbia in Canada, and then back into the U.S. at Blaine, Washington. Then, on the way home, they do it all over again. The population of Point Roberts is roughly 1,314, so it’s not feasible for a school to be built for the older kids. Many high schools have more students than Point Roberts has people.
