| A school visit is an invaluable way to
learn about whether a particular school is the right place
for your child. Dropping in on the seemingly sacred world
of a school may feel awkward, but you can be sure that
you're not the first parent to peek in with great
interest, and you certainly won't be the last. Even after
a short visit, you'll have a much richer sense of the
school's strengths, challenges and approaches toward
teaching and learning.
Step-by-Step Guides Get a
printable guide to planning your elementary,
middle
or high
school visit here!
How to Plan an Effective Visit
Key Questions to Ask
Things to Look For
Especially for Elementary Schools
Especially for Middle Schools
Especially for High Schools
Especially for Charter Schools
How to Plan an
Effective Visit:
- Do your homework before
visiting schools. Read about the schools you'll
be visiting. Examine their school
profiles on GreatSchools.net and make note of any
questions that arise about student performance,
resources or teacher background. You'll want to ask
the principal these questions when you visit each
school. Talk to other parents and go to the online
edition of the local newspaper to search for articles
about the schools.
- Schedule your visit.
Call the school's main telephone number and ask to
speak with the school secretary. Explain that you're
considering enrolling your child and would like to
make an appointment to visit, ask questions and get a
feel for the campus. Find out if you'll be able to
meet the principal and a few teachers while you're
there.
- Ask and observe. When
you visit a school, be sure to ask questions and
observe the environment. The sample questions below
can help you get started.
Key Questions to
Ask:
- Does this school have a particular educational
philosophy or mission?
- What is this school's approach to student discipline
and safety?
- How does this school encourage and monitor students'
progress toward meeting grade-level standards?
- What kinds of library resources are available to
students?
- How is technology used to support teaching and
learning at this school?
- How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a
school choir, band or orchestra? A school play? Art
classes?
- What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs,
community service, competitions) are available for
students?
- How do students get to school? Is free school busing
available?
- How does this school support students who have
academic, social or emotional difficulties?
- What strategies are used to teach students who are
not fluent in English?
- What professional development opportunities do
teachers have? In what ways do teachers collaborate?
- What are some of the school's greatest
accomplishments? What are some of the biggest
challenges this school faces?
Things to Look
For:
- Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work
displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade
level?
- Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable,
asking questions that stimulate students and keep them
engaged?
- Does the principal seem confident and interested in
interacting with students, teachers and parents?
- How do students behave as they move from class to
class or play outside?
- How well are the facilities maintained? Are
bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds
look safe and inviting?
Especially for
Elementary Schools
- What are some highlights of this school's curriculum
in reading, math, science and social studies?
- What criteria are used to determine student
placement in classes?
- How does this school keep parents informed of school
information and activities?
- Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA)?
What other types of parent involvement take place at
this school?
- Is child care available before or after school?
Especially for
Middle Schools
- How does the school guide and prepare students for
major academic decisions that will define their
options in high school and beyond?
- Are foreign language classes (French, Spanish, etc.)
offered to students?
- If the school is large, does it make an effort to
provide activities that create a sense of community?
Especially for
High Schools
- Does this school have a particular academic focus,
such as science or humanities?
- Does this school have any school-to-work programs or
specialized academies?
- What kind of emphasis does the school place on
college preparation?
- Does the school have a good selection of Advanced
Placement classes?
- What percentage of students takes the SAT? Where do
students go after they graduate? How many attend
four-year colleges?
- Does the school offer a variety of career planning
options for students who are not college bound?
- Are counselors available to help students make
important decisions about classes and post-graduation
plans?
- What percentage of students who start at the school
in ninth grade graduate?
- Does the school staff set high expectations for all
students?
- How do students get to school? Is there a parking
lot, and are buses (public or district-provided)
available?
- Is this school accredited?
Especially for
Charter Schools
- When and why was this school created?
- Does the school have a specific focus?
- Who is the charter holder, or the group that created
the school?
- How does the school select teachers? Are the
teachers certificated?
- Is this the permanent location or facility for the
school? If not, will the school be moving to another
location in the near future?
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