The Real Open House
Heart + Mind = A Balanced Approach
Most schools host Open Houses for prospective families to experience the community firsthand. As a former admissions director, I can tell you that Open Houses are major endeavors for any school community. Many of us know this type of event: an all-hands-on-deck affair where the campus should be pristine. Lawns mowed, classrooms scrubbed clean, optimism abundant. Any negativity is left at the security gate.
As a parent, however, I have a much different view of the role of an Open House. These are curated events, designed to show you the ideal. Families should experience an idealized version of the school community, and my heart agrees that ideals are vital (perhaps even sacred) in education. My mind, however, tells me that I need to probe deeper to understand the significant financial investment I'm making in this community. After all, finding the right school requires both heart and mind working together.
A good Open House will leave you asking more questions and wanting a follow-up meeting. Similarly, a poor Open House shouldn't automatically eliminate a school from your list. Instead, it should be an opportunity to connect with the school and ask the questions that arose, then listen carefully to how the admissions team responds.
Here's a secret about school searching: visiting an Open House a year or two before your child will actually apply is an easy way to get to know a community without any major pressure. Research shows more families are investigating schools 2-3 years in advance, and this early exploration can be invaluable.
A Time to Talk Amongst Adults
However, if you're applying this year and your time is limited you should prioritize one event above all others: The Parent Tour.
The parent tours I used to lead (and absolutely loved leading) were hosted during the school day. As a parent, you could see firsthand how the student community engages with each other. You'd witness how teachers naturally interact with students, how administrators handle situations that arise in the moment, and what genuine happiness looks like on an ordinary school day.
While the tours I led were not short—we're talking 1.5 hours minimum—they allowed parents to ask their most pressing questions of the admissions team and administrators. The tours I designed were specifically for parents, with no children allowed. In a world where parents are making the final decision on such an important investment, the questions parents wanted answered were best asked without little ears listening.
After all, you don't want your probing questions to signal to your child that you're skeptical about the choice. And for older children who are beginning to establish their independence, being "that parent" with all the questions can bring unnecessary anxiety and unwanted attention to your student. The good news is that many schools often host separate student-only visits that allow children to have their own experience. These two events together create wonderful opportunities for meaningful conversations as you debrief the school experience with your child.
Unfortunately, tours are limited at most schools, and so is the time to complete all aspects of your school search, especially if you can't take time off work for a weekday tour. If you cannot attend a parent tour, then Open House attendance becomes essential.
A Meaningful Conversation
However, as an admissions director, the most meaningful conversations I had were always on parent tours. Similarly, I believe the most meaningful experiences families had were also during these carefully designed tours. For your search, prioritize parent tours whenever possible, even if it's just for one school. You will not be disappointed in this investment of your time.
Journeys Educational Advising can serve as your trusted partner in preparing for a parent tour or Open House. Contact us to see how we can help maximize your school search.
