I can say with complete honesty that my first few school tours were a complete waste of time. I treated most of them like playdates where I was more interested in meeting other parents and seeing all the cute toys in the classrooms than anything else. Why? Were the schools terrible? Not at all! They were beautiful international schools that offered a wide range of wonderful activities and curriculums, but the entire experience went right over my head because I was so caught up in the excitement of my baby being old enough to start visiting schools that I wasn’t paying much attention to anything other than the school’s hardware and taking cute photos of my kid in class.
It wasn’t until she started nursery and I was looking at new schools for her after she aged out that the tours became more useful. During Covid many schools had online tours, but now that Covid’s a thing of our past, it’s worth taking the trip to see a campus in person. It’s the job of every school’s marketing department to make them sound great, so you’ve got to see the place for yourself to get a feel for what you’re sending your kid into.
So, for first-time parents, here are a few tips for when you’re selecting your first school.
Should you take your child on the tour with you? Most people say yes, and it’s recommended if your child is older. But from personal experience, seeing a school with my partner and daughter when she was super young was more distracting than anything else. One or both of us were constantly minding her, which left the other to half-listen to whatever the school was saying. Yes, it’s true that you should make sure that your child loves the environment, but let’s face it, international schools in Beijing are pretty much all excellent and when you’ve got a toddler selecting a first-time school, it’ll be hard for them to not love just about any school you choose. They’re going to be fascinated by the new environment, new friends, and teachers, and they’re going to cry and not want to go in the beginning. When they’re that young, you need to be the decision maker, not them. Keep at least the first visit to just the adults. You can focus on what the school staff is saying, check out everything you want to see, ask as many questions as you want, and make informed decisions. Schools are welcoming. If you’re serious about sending your child there after your visit, chances are they’ll let you bring your kid back for a visit at a later date.
Do you need to meet the teachers? If you’re offered the chance go ahead and say hi, but don’t be alarmed if you don’t. Sometimes tours take place during teachers’ off time and they’re just not there. It doesn’t mean the school’s hiding them on purpose. Each school is different and the turnover rate for teachers varies, so even if you meet the current teacher for your kid’s upcoming grade level, that doesn’t mean they’re going to be there next school year. Pay attention to the school’s curriculum and philosophy and ask about how the school takes care of its teachers. Do they provide training throughout the year? We all benefit from refresher courses on how to best do our jobs.
What do the professionals have to say on the matter? We asked three educators whose job it is to organize open days and introduce their school to the community.
What advice would you give parents to help them make the most out of a school open house?
“To make the most of a school open house for admission, parents should research the school beforehand, including its curriculum and values. Prepare questions to ask during the event, attend information sessions, and tour the facilities. Follow up with a thank-you note and ensure that the school aligns with their child’s educational goals and values.” – Patrick Maher, Head of Admissions and Marketing at Canadian International School of Beijing
“Attending an open day can be an overwhelming experience. At BSB, we’ll do our best to ensure you leave with a clear picture of our school so you can make an informed decision. Choosing a school for your child is one of the biggest decisions you can make, so here are some top tips to get the most out of your open day experience.
1. Prepare beforehand. Make a list of the things that are most important to you and your family, such as the school’s curriculum, teaching methods, extracurricular activities, and facilities. You may also want to think about your child’s individual needs and interests. This will help you to focus your questions and observations on the open day.
2. Attend the principal’s talk. At BSB, we always introduce you to the principal at the start of the event. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the school’s vision and values.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. No question is too small or silly. The staff at the open day are there to help you learn as much as you can about the school.”
– Robert Warman, Admissions Manager at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi
“One piece of advice for families is to do some research on the school before joining an open house. School websites have a wealth of information that will give you a good feel for the kind of school you are visiting and help spark questions that will better inform your decision on the best school for your family.”
– Irina Mach, Director of Marketing Communications and Admission at Western Academy of Beijing
Images: Courtesy of schools
