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The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: December 5, 2023

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Be sure to visit all the schools on your list, if you can. A visit is the best way to determine whether a school is right for your child. Even a short visit will help you identify a school’s strengths and challenges. It’s also the only way to get a feel for a school’s climate — intangible but important factors like the dynamism of the teaching, engagement of the students, quality of communication, level of respect between students, teachers, administrators, and parents, and the overall sense that the school offers a safe and inspiring learning environment .

School visit checklists

Use this printable guide to help you plan your elementary, middle, or high school visit.

Before your visit

• Do your homework. Read about the schools you’ll be visiting. Examine their school profiles on GreatSchools.org. Talk to other parents and check your local newspaper for articles about the schools.
• Contact the school.  Most schools conduct regular school tours and open houses during the enrollment season — typically in the fall. Call the school or go online to schedule a visit.
• Ask and observe. Jot down your questions before your visit (the sample questions below will help you create your list).

Key questions to ask

• Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
• What curriculum does the school use for math, reading, science, etc? Ask if the school follows the Common Core State Standards , Next Generation Science Standards , and which program(s) are they using to teach children to read ?
• What is the average class size ?
• What is this school’s approach to student discipline and safety? Do they practice restorative justice ? Are the discipline practices fair for families of color ? Do they practice corporal punishment , and if so, can you opt out of that for your child?
• How much homework do students have? What is the school’s philosophy/approach to homework ?
• What kind 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 drama program? 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?
• Is bullying a problem at the school? Does the school have an anti-bullying policy ?
• Does the school have a program for gifted students ?
• 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?
• Does the school offer Physical Education (PE) classes?
• What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?

Features 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?
• Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school?
• 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? Are they easy to communicate with ?
• Does the school let parents know what their rights are (and aren’t ) in regards to your child’s education?
• Is quality child care available before and after school?
• How much outdoor time do kids get each day?

 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? Do they provide advice to parents on how to help this age group ?
• Does the school offer tutoring or other support if students need extra help?
• Are world 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 curriculum focus, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or the arts?
• What kind of emphasis does the school place on college preparation ?
• Does the school have a good selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes?
• What percentage of students take the SAT or/and ACT ?
• Where do students go after they graduate? How many attend four-year college? Are graduates prepared for college ?
• Are counselors available to help students make important decisions about classes?
• Is college counseling and support available?
• Does the school offer a variety of career planning options for students who are not college bound?
• Does the school staff set high expectations for all students?
• Does the school have a tutoring program so students can get extra help if they need it?
• How do students get to school? Is there a parking lot, and are buses (public or district-provided) available?
• Does this school have any school-to-work programs or specialized academies ?
• What is the school drop-out rate ?

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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New School Orientation Leaders have created a Spotify playlist filled with audio tours to help students learn about The New School’s campus and facilities and includes helpful tips and insight about the campus.

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During the fall semester, we invite parents to visit The New School. We want to hear what you’re looking for in a high school and get to know your student through your eyes. Interested parents are strongly encouraged to schedule a visit. Please sign up early so we can make sure to save you a spot.

Contact Claire Strowd to schedule a time that works for you. You can also view available visit opportunities in Ravenna , our online admissions platform. TNS Parent Visits are reserved for parents of students currently in 8th grade and above ONLY .

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Everything You Need to Know About School Tours

Before enrolling your child in a new school, it’s important to do your research. Looking up information about schools near you is a good place to start, but when it comes to getting a full picture of what a school is like, nothing beats an in-person visit. 

At BASIS Charter Schools, we proudly offer tours to prospective families. During these tours, we deliver all the information that families need to make an informed decision for their child.

Signing up for a tour is easy! Simply visit our Events page, select the tour you’re interested in, and RSVP via Eventbrite.

Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for a tour at a BASIS Charter School campus.

Benefits of going on a school tour

Going on a school tour is a great way to learn about potential schools for your child. Some of the main reasons to tour a school include:

• Seeing classrooms in action: School tours often give you a chance to observe a classroom, allowing you to see what your child’s day-to-day learning environment will look like.
• Having the opportunity to ask questions: Asking questions can be incredibly valuable as you consider different schools for your child. A school tour is the perfect time to ask your questions and get immediate answers!
• Meeting teachers and staff: Before you send your child off to a new school, you want to make sure that they’ll be in good hands. Going on a school tour is a great way to meet school leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Getting familiar with the campus : During a school tour, a staff member will show you around different parts of the campus. This gives you a chance to assess the cleanliness and safety of the school. Plus, touring a school helps you and your child become familiar with the layout of the campus, which can ease some first-day-of-school stress .
• Learning about the school’s values: During a school tour, a staff member will speak to you about the history and mission of BASIS Charter Schools. Plus, you’ll learn about the individual school’s culture and community.

What to expect from your BASIS Charter School tour

On a school tour, you’ll learn about who we are, what makes our curriculum unique, and why we excel at teaching K–12 students.

Our tours are led by experienced school administrators who know our schools inside and out. After some introductions and an overview of what BASIS Charter Schools are, you’ll set off on your walk-through tour of the campus.

During the tour, you can expect a brief look inside some of the classrooms. You’ll also be shown areas such as the multi-purpose room, playground, and art room. Along the way, your tour guide will provide detailed information about the BASIS Charter School Curriculum, school culture, extracurricular activities, and more. There is plenty of time to ask questions—both during the tour and at the end!

Our tours are approximately 45–60 minutes long. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start so that you have plenty of time to check in at the front desk and get a visitor’s badge. For security purposes, we require all adult attendees to present photo identification when checking in.

How to prepare for your school tour

Excited about your upcoming school tour? We get it; we’re excited to see you, too! Here are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of the experience.

Research the school

First and foremost, we recommend doing a bit of research on the school you’ll be visiting. Here are a few pages on our website that will help you learn more about our high-performing schools:

• BASIS Charter School Curriculum

Of course, you’ll learn more about these topics during your school tour—but getting a head start doesn’t hurt!

Make a list of questions

Take some time to jot down any questions you may have about the school you’re touring. Whether it’s general questions about BASIS Charter Schools’ teaching philosophy or specific questions geared towards your child’s needs, a school tour is a great time to get answers!

Some example questions include:

• What is your average class size and student-to-teacher ratio?
• Do you offer any before- or after-school programs?
• What types of extracurricular activities are available?
• How are fine arts incorporated into your curriculum?
• What kind of student support do you provide?
• What is the enrollment process like?

Don’t forget to bring your list of questions with you on your tour. This will ensure you don’t forget anything you were meaning to ask!

Get ready to take notes

There’s a lot to take in during a school tour! Whether you prefer to use your phone or a notepad and pen, be sure to bring something with you that you can use for notetaking. During the tour, write down any key details, as well as your general impression of the school.

Involve your child in the tour process

If possible, we recommend bringing your child along for your school tour. This is a great way for your child to become familiar with the campus and meet teachers and staff. Your child’s impression of the school may also play a large role in your decision-making process.

Mark your calendar

Set a reminder for your tour date and make sure you have a plan for getting to the school on time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before the tour’s scheduled start time, so you have time to check in.

Take the next step—sign up for a school tour!

What are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, sign up for a school tour today by visiting our Events page and registering for a tour at your local BASIS Charter School campus. 

We hope to see you on a tour soon!

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Future of education in Worcester: A look inside the new Doherty High School

WORCESTER ― The first day of school at the new Doherty Memorial High School gets closer by the day. The construction began in 2021, and the school opens this fall for the 2024-25 school year.

On Friday, Mayor Joseph Petty and Superintendent Rachel Monárrez hosted a tour of the new $316 million high school.

More: School project: Roam the halls of Worcester's under-construction Doherty High (by drone)

The new school is 420,000 square feet, designed for an enrollment of 1,670 students.

"We're trying to keep families in the city. We don't want to lose people," Petty said. "We have to compete with surrounding towns' high schools."

New, improved spaces for learning

While it is still in its final phase of construction, the school's interior features a new auditorium and rooms specifically designed for Doherty's Chapter 74 programs, including construction craft labor, robotics, engineering and 3D printing.

"Basically, (students) can go to any of these shops and create whatever it is they need to for class," said Christina Bazelmans, associate principal at the architecture firm Lamoureux Pagano Associates. "They're all interconnected, so you can go in between each of them and create one project using all of these different engineering traits."

The school theater will seat around 800 students, about half the student population.

Along with the theater are rooms like the black box theater, which will be used to teach students about stage lighting.

Bazelmans said the new school gives students 21st-century learning models.

"It provides more technology, more flexibility and more space," Bazelmans said. "They're expanding the engineering and technology program, which brings more opportunities for technical education for students, which is awesome. Worcester Technical has a huge waitlist, which is awesome, but we obviously need to get that type of education to more kids."

Every classroom at Doherty has chilled beam cabinets, which provide cooling using induced airflow without the noise of a typical HVAC system. Each classroom also has "speech reinforcement," a speaker on the ceilings that allows teachers using a microphone to communicate with students.

"This allows teachers to use their normal voice to get students' attention. It pipes their voice through that speaker and everybody in the class can hear it," Bazelmans said.

Petty said the new amenities in the high school allow for more learning opportunities for students.

"I think it'll have a pretty big impact on students," Petty said. "It's a great project. I'm proud, and the superintendent is proud of this building."

Future, Metro Boomin’ bringing ‘We Trust You’ tour to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Chart-topping rappers and artists Future and Metro Boomin are set to take over New Orleans as part of their “We Trust You Tour” at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday, August 20.

Live Nation announced the tour dates Tuesday (April 16), on the heels of the release of their latest albums “We Don’t Trust You” and “We Still Don’t Trust You.”

Tickets are set to go on sale Friday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at freebandz.com/wetrustyou .

JUST ANNOUNCED:  @1future & @MetroBoomin – We Trust You Tour. Get tickets this Friday, April 19 at 10AM local: https://t.co/hBJI0gbBBx pic.twitter.com/IVHRdP2Ap9 — Live Nation (@LiveNation) April 16, 2024

A special pre-sale sponsored by Cash App launches Wednesday at 10 a.m. and Thursday . Cash App Card holders get an exclusive discount on tour merch on-site.

The six-week arena journey will begin on Tuesday, July 30 in Kansas City, Missouri, and culminate in a grand finale on Monday, September 9 in Vancouver.

The tour will also include a special performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, August 3.

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Olivia Rodrigo Reunites With ‘High School Musical’ Castmates at the Guts World Tour Show in NYC

Conan Gray was also in attendance at the Madison Square Garden concert.

By Hannah Dailey

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Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Some of Olivia Rodrigo ‘s former High School Musical: The Musical: The Series castmates showed their support for the 21-year-old pop star by coming to see her Guts World Tour show at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night (April 9), after which they all met up backstage to pose for a photo.

No Aloha: Olivia Rodrigo and The Breeders Reconnect Alt-Rock’s Severed History at MSG Show…

Trending on billboard.

Also in attendance were Conan Gray, Rodrigo’s best friend and fellow singer-songwriter, as well as Heartstopper ‘s Joe Locke. Another fan video captured the two dancing together to the headliner’s closing number, “Get Him Back!”

The “Drivers License” singer’s four-night stay at MSG was eventful, with both Noah Kahan and Jewel taking the stage at separate shows for surprise guest duets with Rodrigo. During her first night in New York City, she spotted yet another High School Musical costar in the crowd: Michelle Noh, who played Rodrigo’s character’s mom in the series.

With the final MSG show in the books, Rodrigo has officially wrapped the North American leg of her first-ever arena tour. Later this month, she’ll launch a run of European shows starting in Dublin, after which she’ll return to the U.S. on July 19 for a performance at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

See clips of the HSM:TM:TS cast, Conan Gray and Joe Locke at the Guts World Tour below.

🎥|Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Joe Serafini y Frankie Rodriguez (compañeros de Olivia en HSMTMTS) están presentes hoy en el #GUTSWorldTourNYC ! ⭐️💜 pic.twitter.com/A3b5Pz74wf — Olivia Rodrigo Chile 🇨🇱 (@oIiviarodrigocl) April 10, 2024

JOE LOCKE AND CONAN GRAY DANCING TOGETHER TO OLIVIA RODRIGO I'M ON THE FLOOR pic.twitter.com/1UwDY2q0Bv — rei 🌧️ loves joe locke (@heartstperxjoe) April 10, 2024

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New MSCS superintendent says school closures 'highly likely.' What else she said after first week

Marie Feagins, Ed.D., had a whirlwind of a first week as superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

She launched her Voice Improves Partnership (VIP) tour. She visited Melrose High School, Fox Meadows Elementary, Kate Bond Elementary and Kate Bond Middle School. She met community members at Red Zone Ministries and Southwest Tennessee Community College. The last day of the week ― her birthday ― she volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

And amid these events, there were meetings with local leaders and staffers as she and her team looked closely at issues in the district and wider community that need to be addressed.

On Tuesday, Feagins spoke about her first week and discussed issues within MSCS that she plans to address, as well as the likelihood of school closures. Here’s what she said.

Infrastructure and potential closures

MSCS’ aging infrastructure was something that Feagins discussed quite a bit during a media briefing Tuesday, as addressing facility challenges has been a priority of the district for months.

“The leaks have leaked on my head, so I get that,” Feagins said. “Those are some things that I wish we could get into a little faster. I've had conversations with a team about what does it take, to really reduce the number of maintenance requests that we have? How do we get into schools and really accelerate the work that we're able to do?”

MSCS has $500 million in deferred maintenance and an average school building age of 64, 24 years past the national recommended life span of a school building. In August, as temperatures eclipsed 100 degrees, the aging HVAC systems in school buildings struggled to cool classrooms, and some broke down.

The district is putting together a comprehensive infrastructure plan to address facility challenges within its footprint.

When asked about whether the district had considered school closures, Feagins acknowledged that they were a strong possibility. Chalkbeat Tennessee had reported in late January that 21 schools could close as part of the plan.

“A safe place to be right now is just owning that,” she said about the potential for school closures. “That is highly likely, and so not being afraid to just be transparent, that those conversations not only will be held, but on the other side of the conversations will be the actions.”

Still, she emphasized that it’s a complicated process. Feagins thinks it’s important to explain, in detail, why it could close schools, and cited factors like declining enrollment that’s being seen around the nation amid a declining birthrate and an increase in children being homeschooled. Engaging the community is key, and schools aren't going to be closed overnight.

“It's not one dimensional in, ‘Will we close a school? Will we merge schools?'” she said. “It is the factors that go into that. It’s giving the time to the number of sessions, the involvement with the community. That's necessary to give it the attention that it needs, for the questions to be asked.”

MSCS also hasn’t made official decisions yet about which schools could merge or close. As Feagins put it:

“We're still on the front end of those decisions, as we think about the audit that’s being done, to really give the concerted attention of looking at, building by building, community by community, listening to the feedback from the community, and then finding that general compromise and happy medium, about making perceptually tough decisions, but also honoring the nostalgia that comes from maintaining some of the buildings.”

'A concerted effort'

Last week, after a tour of Kate Bond Middle, Feagins spoke positively about her first week, but also said, “Nothing surprises me unless it is something that is disheartening, and I'm seeing it a little too much.” On Tuesday, she elaborated.

Some of it was related to simple things.

“Anytime a student or a parent share that they haven't been served well, or there's a general breakdown in communication or relationships, those are the things that are disheartening for me because those are the things that we can get right,” she said. “It doesn't require money, doesn't require a lot of time. It just requires a concerted effort, a lot of intentionality, and a lot of consistency.”

But what, tangibly, are some areas where the district can make a more concerted effort?

“That would be comparable to a student not having a book or a pencil to write with, or some of the fundamental materials that it takes for a teacher to facilitate a class,” she said.

She also noted that there have been some concerns shared with her about whether students with disabilities are receiving the resources they need.

“It’s just making sure that we are doing a better job about monitoring our practices and services to all of our families, so that they are not having to bring to us and raise to our attention, that their students are being overlooked or not being served to the highest level,” she said. “There's just some general concerns where we're not meeting the bar in general, just fundamentally.”

Teacher compensation was another area Feagins mentioned, saying, “It’s just a little disheartening when the compensation kind of looks comparable to what it did when I entered the field about 17-18 years ago.”

Talent in the student body

There’s no shortage of issues to tackle, but Feagins remains excited about her new role with the district. And the students she’s interacted with have provided her with plenty of incentive to succeed. There are the students who have told her that math is their favorite subject and the ones who want to pursue STEM careers. There are the artists at White Station High, and the “phenomenal singer” she heard at Cromwell Elementary. There are the Ballet dancers at Overton High, and the jazz band at Central High School.  

More: What did Memphis kids think of the 2024 solar eclipse? We asked this MSCS science class

There are the students who have asked her sharp questions about what she plans to do in the role – and how she plans to improve the district.

“We think about talent, and what's hidden in our students, and what we're really trying to tap into with what we provide,” she said. “There’s certainly a lot that have stood out.”

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Rose Zhang hires new instructor ahead of first 2024 LPGA major, the Chevron Championship

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Rose Zhang tells Golfweek that has a new instructor ahead of the 2024 Chevron Championship.

Todd Anderson, director of instruction at the PGA Tour’s Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, has stepped in to help one of the LPGA’s hottest young stars.

George Pinnell has guided Zhang for the better part of a decade, and the pair knew this day would eventually come once she got out on tour. Pinnell runs a successful academy in Rowland Heights, California, and that responsibility along with some health issues keeps him from being able to travel as much as Zhang might need.

“George is probably going to Wilshire next week,” said Zhang of the tour’s next stop. “We’re still so close. He’ll be a mentor. He’s seen my swing for the past nine years.”

Zhang’s best friend from high school, Nicole Zhang, recently joined Pinnell’s coaching staff.

Billy Horschel jokes with golf instructor Todd Anderson on the practice range ahead of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network)

Rose said Anderson came recommended by her team and the pair met for the first time at TPC Sawgrass earlier in the year. Anderson also attended Capitol One’s The Match. They’ve mostly worked on short game and putting so far and are still getting a feel for each other. Anderson also works with Billy Horschel, whom Zhang met during her initial visit.

“He’s is very straightforward, which I appreciate,” said Zhang of Anderson. “He has a very genuine passion for helping players get better. And he's very open-minded, so he's not exactly very egocentric and is willing to hear what you feel and what your thoughts are. So that open mindedness helps a lot. Because, for me, I think it's important for the player to understand what he or she is doing. And the coach aids to that.”

Zhang has two top-10 finishes in four LPGA starts and recently wrapped up her winter quarter at Stanford. She’s currently taking a break from classes.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rose Zhang hires new instructor ahead of first 2024 LPGA major, the Chevron Championship

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Imlay City Educators Featured in Newest proudMIeducator Video

April 17, 2024

LANSING – The latest Michigan educators to be featured in the #proudMieducator video series are a married couple who teach theater and dance to students in Lapeer County.

The #proudMIeducator video features Don and Rebekah Brewer of Imlay City Community Schools .

Mr. and Ms. Brewer are instructors for the Imlay City High School Theatre and Dance Program, which has earned an MDE Career & Technical Education accreditation. Imlay City High School Theatre and Dance Program is recognized as an approved college and career training ground in the visual and performing arts.

“It is important for us to continue highlighting the voices of educators,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “The #proudMIeducator campaign is one way we honor the hard work of passionate educators, such as the Brewers. We hope that others will consider a career in education after hearing their story.”

Increasing the number of certified teachers, especially in areas of shortage, is one of the eight goals of Michigan’s strategic education plan. 

Since 2016, the #proudMIeducator series has featured educators and supporters of Michigan educators who share their passion for education. The full playlist can be found on the MDE YouTube page.

If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email [email protected] .

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