An important element of the application process for any independent school is the campus tour. This is your opportunity to observe the community up close and begin to get a feel for the environment and whether or not it’s right for your student. To maximize this time on campus, we recommend having some goals in mind for the experience and arriving prepared with some specific questions. Additionally, if there is a specific program or aspect of the school that you want to explore while on site, be sure to ask about that in advance so that the admission staff can accommodate your request. Observing some programs may require scheduling your tour for a specific day of the week or planning a morning visit versus an afternoon visit.
Here are our top tips on getting the most out of your campus tour:
Talk to current students
Ideally you will be paired with a student guide for your tour – they are the real experts on any school and are a valuable resource. Even if you don’t have a student tour guide, don’t be shy about asking questions of students who you meet in the halls or other school spaces. Chances are they will speak positively about the school, but digging a little further can still reveal a lot about the school’s culture. Follow-up questions you might ask are:
- What is your workload like? On average, how many hours of homework do you have? What’s been your favorite project so far?
- How do your teachers connect with you in class? What are class discussions like? Do they make it fun?
- Are your teachers accessible outside of class? What are your options for getting extra help or following up with a teacher about classwork?
- What kind of clubs do you have? Can anyone join?
- My child isn’t interested in competitive sports but likes to be active. What options are there for them to be involved?
- Do you know most of your classmates?
- What are some of the school’s traditions?
- What is one thing you might change about the school?
Talk to the school experts
You will certainly also have the chance to speak with the school’s admission staff, who will no doubt be well-versed in the school’s background, mission and values. But they can also provide deeper insights into aspects of the community that are important to you. Some questions to ask of them include:
- How does technology fit into the curriculum?
- What is included in tuition? What isn’t included?
- What financial aid options do you offer?
- What kind of academic support do you offer?
- Are there options for high-achieving students to take on independent study?
- Do you have extended hours for before or after school care? What are the costs?
- What are the school’s strategic goals for the next 3-5 years?
- What is your school’s student retention rate?
Talk to yourself (just maybe not out loud)
As you move around the school and make observations, ask yourself questions along the way. This exercise will help you decide whether the school is a good fit for your family. Things to ask:
- Do you see students working independently or together?
- Do students look actively engaged and are they participating in the lessons?
- Do you see students and teachers interacting outside of the classroom?
- Do the grounds look well-cared for?
- Do you see student work on display?
- Are the people you come across friendly and do they seem generally happy?
- Does the school feel welcoming? Were they prepared for your visit?
Once your campus tour is complete, we recommend documenting your impressions and noting any pros and cons that you came away with. This is especially valuable if you are going through the admission process with multiple schools as the details can blur over time.
Selecting the right independent school for your family is an important decision, and not every school is right for every student. Taking the time to observe, explore and ask thoughtful questions can help to discover a school’s true culture and values, making the decision that much easier.
Article Provided by: Severn School