Making the Most of School Visits

What to Look for on Tours and Open Houses

By Kevin Forest Moreau

When you’re searching for a new school for your child, open houses and school tours are two of the most valuable resources to help you decide whether a school is the right fit.

Most, if not all, independent schools host one or both of these events to help give parents a sense of what they have to offer. An open house provides parents face-to-face access with administrators and teachers, and opportunities to discuss the school’s educational philosophy, tuition and other topics. A school tour, on the other hand, lets parents and prospective students visit classrooms and explore the campus, observing what the school looks like on a typical day.

Whether you attend an open house, a tour, or both, the key is to get as much information as possible to help you make the right decision. Here are some of the most important things to look for.

Academics and Curriculum

You’ll want to know the school’s curriculum— which topics it focuses on. And you’ll also want to get a sense of the academic track record of the school: its graduation rate, and how its students perform on college-aptitude tests like the ACT or SAT.

Beyond that, “parents should look for a program that is both rigorous and flexible, with clear pathways for students to be challenged at the right level while still being supported as learners,” says Nija Majmudar Meyer, vice president for enrollment management for Woodward Academy.

Meyer recommends asking questions like “How do you place students in the right level, and how often can that change as they grow? What support is available when a student needs reinforcement in a subject? And how do you extend learning for students who are ready for more challenges?”

Don’t be afraid to ask about how the school evaluates and trains its teachers. What credentials are required? Do they undergo continuing education training?

But how a teacher provides instruction is just as important as what they teach, says Brandon Bryan, admissions director for Saint Francis High School.
“Do the teachers know the art of teaching, and not just the science of teaching?” he asks. “If a student isn’t quite getting the lesson one way, does the teacher know how to pull something else out of their toolbox and show them in a different way? Can they explain it verbally but also show you something visual to help you understand it?”

Observing a classroom in action during a school tour can give you real insight into what the day-to-day educational experience is like, says Katherine Harrison, director of Admission for The Walker School.

“Seeing how classes are run, seeing that the kids are up out of their seats building that DNA model or racing that car in their physical sciences class that they built themselves—that’s the difference,” she says.

Communication

Let’s face it—students (especially middle- and high-schoolers) aren’t always the most forthcoming about how they’re doing. So parents may want to know how much communication they can expect from a school.

“One of the most important things is getting a sense of what the partnership would look like between home and school,” says Harrison, “because that’s a huge predictor of success.”

Schools often email parents with information about upcoming events, faculty changes, and other important news. But how do they communicate with parents about a student’s progress?

Ask staff members or parents of current students what communication with teachers looks like. Do they share not just your child’s areas of strength, but also those that need work or encouragement? Can you email teachers—or counselors or the principal or the dean—directly? Do they respond in a timely manner?

“Can you find out how your child did on a test, or what their current assignments are?” asks Bryan.

Facilities and Technology

As technology advances in areas ranging from virtual reality to artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT, schools continue to try to keep up. Many students learn on school-issued tablets, and in science and technology labs that allow them to pursue fields of study that barely existed 20 years ago.

“Facilities matter most when they are actively used to deepen learning and student experience,” Meyer says. “Instead of focusing only on how new or impressive a space looks, parents should look for whether students are creating, collaborating, and doing meaningful work in those environments.

“Technology is similar,” she continues. “The best sign is when technology is used as a tool for deeper learning, not just a device for convenience. How does the school teach responsible, healthy technology habits? What technology do students use for creation and problem-solving, not just note-taking?”

Perhaps more importantly to your child, does the school offer courses or clubs related to their technological interest?

“It’s important to know that a school has the spaces that are going to support your child’s interests or potential interests,” says Harrison.

If your child is into robotics, does the school have a robotics lab? Does it offer just a single introductory course, or does it go deeper? Does it compete in regional and statewide tournaments? The more a school focuses on areas that interest your child, the more likely they are to be engaged with other aspects of the school as well.

School Culture

While it is somewhat harder to define, a school’s culture is equally as important as its academic rigor or its technological offerings. What does daily life really look like?
How do students appear on campus?

Do they look confident or stressed? How do adults and students interact? Do adults treat them as individuals? What does counseling look like? Are there systems in place to help students deal with challenges outside of their schoolwork?

“During a tour, I always try to have parents in a common area when there’s a class change, so they can see how the kids are interacting,” says Harrison of The Walker School.

Once you’ve learned as much as possible about these areas, you and your child should have a clear idea of whether a school is the right fit for the both of you.

Tuition and Financial Aid

5 Questions You Should Ask

1. What does the tuition cover (uniforms, textbooks, etc.)?
2. Are transportation, extracurricular activities, and after-school care extra?
3. Is there a discount if I have more than one child at the school?
4. Do you offer financial assistance?
5. Are there scholarship opportunities or grants I might apply for?