January 2007
Education:
How to Prepare for School Open Houses
Is there someone in your family who will be ready to start preschool or kindergarten next fall? Or someone who will be graduating from their elementary school program and is ready to start middle school or high school? If so, this is the perfect time of year to be considering your school options.
Every school is different and each can offer educational and social perspectives worth examining. We are fortunate to have many strong school choices in the Puget Sound region. The good news is that you are likely to find multiple schools that could serve your family well. The challenge is that it can be overwhelming to sort through all of the information to find those good matches.
Open houses can be a great way to learn about what schools have to offer your family. They provide an informal forum for families to ask questions, investigate program offerings, get a sense of the cultural environment and ultimately determine if a school might meet your family’s educational needs. To help you prepare for and make the most of the open house experience, I have prepared the following list of top tips.
1) Reflect and identify your family’s educational values and needs:
· Identify your own personal values and what is important
to you as a parent. What are the non-negotiables in a school environment
for you? What are you open to exploring?
· Think about your children’s interests and personalities.
What do you know at this point about their learning styles? Are there
particular needs (physical, emotional, developmental) that you need to
consider?
· If you are looking at middle school or high school, talk with
your child about what they would like to see or have available at their
future school.
2) Ask your network:
· Word-of-mouth recommendations can be a powerful
influence. Ask your friends what schools their children attend and what
they like and dislike about those programs.
· Keep in mind that what works for one family might not work for
another. Don’t let one opinion stop you from looking at a school
if you think it may be a fit for your child.
3) Gather information and materials:
· Check out the school’s Web site and/or brochures
prior to the open house.
· Explore resources such as newspapers and magazines for other
background information on a school. Look for examples outside the school’s
marketing materials to see if the community reputation matches the school’s
projected image.
4) Anticipate your questions:
· Develop a set of questions that you can use as
you explore each school so that you have equitable information when the
time comes to compare programs.
· Write down questions you want to be sure to ask at the open house
ahead of time. It is easy to get involved in the event and forget what
you intended to ask.
5) Be prepared:
· Most elementary school open houses are designed
for parents rather than young children. Arrange for childcare so that
you can focus on getting the information you need.
· Developing and maintaining a checklist of important criteria
can be a great reference. This will allow you to quickly and easily distinguish
between the schools you like or for which you have additional follow -up
questions.
· Bring a pen and notebook or paper.
· When the open house is over, write down any follow-up questions
you might have for faculty or staff and follow up with the school’s
admission office to get your answers.
6) Use your intuition:
· Remember to listen to your intuition because you
know and understand your children and the educational environment that
can best suit their needs.
· As you attend open houses, ask yourself if you can envision your
child in that school environment.
7) Involve the decision makers:
· While it often makes sense for one parent to do the advanced scouting of potential schools, make sure all parents and – in the case of those looking at middle school and high school – the students have an opportunity to attend an open house or tour. It will make the conversation at decision making time much more productive.
While open houses are a great place to start, they are not the last opportunity parents and students have to check out a school. Many schools offer additional tours, one-on-one meetings, information sessions and/or opportunities for students to visit. Take advantage of the opportunities schools provide to have any additional questions or concerns answered. Schools want to help you find a good match for your child.
Polly Skinner is the head of school at Villa Academy in Seattle.
©2007
Northwest Parent Media
All rights reserved
Web design by Intentional Publishing & Design