I’m Touring a School, Now What?
Finding the ideal school takes time. The best place to start is a school tour. Whether looking at public, parochial, or independent schools, here are five strategies to get the most out of your visit.
What Are You Solving For?
It’s important to know why you are exploring schools for your child. Are you leaving preschool and considering elementary schools where your family will likely spend the next six to nine years? Is your child currently in 4th grade and not experiencing the academic rigor you were hoping for? Or perhaps it’s now clear that the size and approach of your current school does not fit your child as well as it once did. Write down the top three to five reasons you are seeking a new school environment for your child. If you’re touring with a partner or friend, make your own lists separately and compare them before you tour.
Leave Your Assumptions at the Door
It’s hard not to be influenced by what you may have heard about a school, but you’ll have a much better chance of seeing a place for what it really is if you walk in with an open mind. The most authentic way to develop a connection to a place is through your own experience. Consider any preconceived notions that you might have, positive or negative, before you tour. Review them after you’ve had a chance to spend time at the school. Are they still true?
Honor Intuition and Logic
A school tour is an ideal way to experience a school beyond what’s on the website. People who rely on intuition often notice first impressions quickly: the atmosphere, the warmth of the faculty, or the way a community feels. If this describes you, follow up afterward with a closer look at the details. Those who lean toward logic – preferring to process information by comparing facts, policies, and outcomes – benefit from doing some research ahead of time so that the visit leaves space to absorb the less fact-based “feel” of the school. Use the Q&A time to fill in any gaps.
What am I Looking For?
It’s as simple as answering the question: Can I imagine my child being happy here? The truth is, you’ll know if the environment feels like a place where your child will be happy. Next, you’ll want to illuminate the reasons why you think this is true. Is it the faculty approach? Is it the kind of teaching and learning you see in the classrooms? Is it the class size or peer group? After touring, write down at least five things you liked about the place and any things that concern you.
Rinse and Repeat
If considering multiple schools, apply the same process to each school visit. Remember what you’re solving for, set your assumptions aside, tour with an open mind, and record five things you liked about each place, along with anything that brings you pause. When you’ve completed your tours, review your notes and you’ll have a roadmap to your ideal school.