Submitted by: Kate Borgeson, Wyndcroft's Director of Admission

One of the best ways to learn more about a prospective school is to attend an open house. Traditionally, an independent school open house includes a tour of the campus and a brief overview of the programs that are offered. They are a great way to get a true sense of a school community than just conducting a web search.

Here are my top five tips on how to make the most of an admissions open house:

 

Go with an open mind.

Be prepared to get the information that is important to you and your family. Come armed with a few questions that you need answers to. For instance, what is the communication like between teacher and parent? What extracurricular programs do you offer? How is technology incorporated in the classrooms?

But don’t limit yourself to your prepared list of questions. Be open to new ideas. You might just find something unexpected!

 

Bring your child.

An open house is the perfect, low-pressure opportunity to let your child weigh in on the process. Let them explore classrooms, talk with teachers and see what excites them about the new school. Talk with your child once you get home to see what some of the highlights were for them.

 

Take notice of the little things.

The feel of a school campus is one of the many intangibles that can’t truly be felt over a website. Are the classrooms warm and inviting? Are the outdoor spaces well maintained? It’s the little things that sometimes mean the most so take notice. They can say a lot about a school.

 

Talk to as many people as you can.

Open houses generally offer a number of voices willing to share their experiences at the school. Be sure to get a wide sampling from everyone there: teachers, students, faculty, and parents. See what they love and want you to know about their school. Are they all giving the same message?

 

Schedule a day to revisit.

If you have a good feeling about the school, come back and see it in action. Schedule a one-on-one appointment or a student visit day through the admission office. It’s another great way to gain valuable insight.

 

Above all else, enjoy the open house experience! Independent schools are incredible places and each one is uniquely different. It’s all about finding the school that is the right fit for your child.