What to Expect at Open House

As we close the chapter on another summer, it's hard to ignore the "Back-to-School" displays that have slowly but surely crept their way to the forefront of neighborhood stores. Whether you're a parent looking forward to meeting your child's new teacher or a student ready to reunite with old friends, this time of year symbolizes a new beginning for all. But there is certainly no group more anxious for back-to-school season than rising 8th graders. For them, September brings along with it the excitement and promise of high school as well as the immediate challenge of taking on the high school search.

Families with children already in private schools are likely to begin thinking about choosing a high school early in the elementary school years. In fact, it is not unusual for families to begin actively searching for schools as early as the 6th grade year, though many families consider the Spring of 7th grade and Fall of 8th grade to be "crunch time" for researching their options. On the other hand, families whose children attend public schools may look upon the decision to explore private high schools as nothing less than a daunting and confusing task.

In an effort to simplify the process, we at Mary Help of Christians Academy have embarked upon this blog with the goal of sharing an inside view at Catholic education, private schools, and the admissions process. We hope that by sharing our perspective, we will enable families to spend more time focusing on what matters - finding the best schools for them!

To kick off our blog, we will tackle one of the most common admissions events - the Open House - giving you tips, tools, and resources to help you make the most of this informative first glance into your prospective high school.

Overview of an Open House

Traditionally, an independent school Open House follows a fairly standard format beginning with registration, distribution of brochures and pamphelts, and exchanging of contact information. While many individuals may be leery of sharing their phone numbers and email addresses, we find that email is typically the most efficient way to keep our prospective applicants informed about upcoming deadlines as well as to share exciting events that may be going on around campus. It is important to note that while Open Houses may be scheduled to last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, families are encouraged to arrive at the start time to ensure they do not miss any of the valuable components of the event schedule.

Welcome Address

When you are considering a school for your child, it is critical that you get to know school administrators and other upper level staff. Meeting and interacting with school leaders will help you begin to shape your opinion of the school and its climate, and gauge whether it is a fit for your child. The primary point of contact for prospective parents will be the Director of Admissions, and you should consider him or her to be the liaison between you and the school. Because these professionals are so critical to the process, most Open Houses will start with a brief Welcome in which the school’s key figures will each address the audience.

Presentation

The presentation is a school’s first opportunity to make a positive and long lasting impression. Generally, you should expect presenters to discuss the school’s academic offerings, extracurricular programs in the arts and athletics and - most importantly - what sets them apart from other area schools. It is also common for current students, parents, and even alumni to speak and share their experiences as part of the school community. 

While many parents may have specific questions that arise during presentations, it will depend on each individual school whether or not questions are taken during the presentation, or perhaps later on during small group tours. Either way, it is encouraged that parents take notes (notepads are often provided for this reason) or jot down important questions so they are not later forgotten.

Campus Tour

Often times, families and Admissions Directors alike find themselves most excited for the Campus Tour. Visitors are usually eager to see for themselves how classrooms are set up, what technology equips each room, where athletes practice and where artists thrive. Well-maintained grounds and updated facilities are important factors when choosing where to spend the next four years, so it is important that both parents and students experience that familiar feeling of "home" when they visit a prospective high school.

Wrapping Up

While not every Open House will follow exactly the same format, you will see many similarities between these events as you explore your high school options. Admissions Directors and other school staff should be inviting, informative, and excited to learn about you and your child, and your family should feel welcomed and at ease. Because what matters most is finding the right school based on your child's needs and interests, it is important to visit as many Open Houses as possible and to approach each event with an open mind. Through this search, the right choice for your family will soon become clear!

More on this topic: Bring our Parents' Common Questions and Open House Checklist with you so you can focus more on what matters!