Take a step beyond the website and plan to attend some school open houses this fall. Though there are other opportunities to explore a school’s campus, the Open House gives you an in depth look into a school’s culture and community through conversations with current students, faculty, coaches and parents. Whether you have a set list of schools to visit or you are just starting to explore, have some sense of a plan to make the most of your time at these events.
Prior to setting foot on a school’s campus, think about who in your family should attend, what you should wear, what to take notice of and what questions to ask.
Think about who you should bring to the Open House. If you are early in the process and simply exploring, you may want to attend without your student. If you are working to narrow down a school list, bring your student so they can weigh in on what stands out to them. If you have younger students, decide whether your student who is looking to apply will be able to focus with a sibling in tow. If a younger sibling will be applying to schools in the near future, it can be helpful to get a sense of what these visits are like. In some cases, it may make sense to leave younger siblings at home.
What to wear is a question that is often left to the last minute. Give it a thought ahead of time to ensure that you will be comfortable and feel appropriately dressed. Take note from the school’s dress code when deciding what to wear. Students should dress similarly to the school’s dress code with a step up. If the school requires students to wear a coat and tie, so should your student. Adults should dress in business casual attire and make sure you wear comfortable footwear!
As you walk around campus, pay close attention to what you see and how you feel. If your child has specific interests, such as STEM, languages, visual or performing arts, athletics, etc., be sure to visit those departments and introduce yourselves to the teachers and coaches. Open House events are an excellent time to hear from the Head of School, the Enrollment Team, faculty, and current students and parents. Pay attention to the message delivered by each of these cohorts. What aspects of the school do they highlight? Observe the interactions between students and faculty and between the students themselves. Some points for you and your student to consider:
How do you feel when you are on campus? Why?
Are the students friendly, welcoming, and engaged?
What is happening in the halls between classes?
How are the desks arranged in the classrooms?
Are there books in the library or are books mostly digital?
Are there spaces for students to collaborate around campus?
What types of technology are students using? How and when are they using it?
What is on the walls in the classrooms and halls?
Is the campus an inviting one where you can picture your child working and socializing?
Do you want to return for an interview?
It can be eye-opening to watch how your child responds on these visits. Afterwards, jot down some of your thoughts and feelings about each school. Keep school-specific notes in one, easy-to-find place which can help you recall your impressions in preparation for the interview and essay portions of your applications. The Open House should also help you pare down your school list. If after this visit, you can’t picture your child as a part of the community, cross that school off. Even though Open House events can be busy, they are invaluable opportunities to speak with current families on what they love (and maybe what they don’t) about the school.
Each visit will give you some insight into what makes that school unique in the broad landscape of independent education. With a little planning and a bit of luck, you can spend your time and energy applying to "best-fit schools", giving your child a better chance of admittance.
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