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Questions to ask during school tours/Open Houses
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Anonymous
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As someone who used to be heavily involved in admissions, I have to disagree and say that the Open House is a test for parents. Schools are definitely looking to see which parents they would like to have around, which are disagreeable and which do not fit into the culture.
Names are remembered and notes are made. There's a reason why the administration goes around to chat you all up. 
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Anonymous
| What school? I've been involved in admissions at ours and it's not like that. |
Anonymous
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I think it's well-known that schools are looking at the parents to ascertain which are pleasant and which will cause problems or constantly question if their child is accepted. Afterall, that family is going to be at the school for awhile - the school won't want a family for 8+ years that is a PITA.
Same thing when you interview for a job. People only want to associate with others who bring a positive experience to the plate. Why not schools, too? |
Anonymous
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Yes, schools don't want problem parents. But that's a far cry from "if you ask a question that is answered on the website at an Open House," then you will be revealed as someone who doesn't fit in, notes will be taken, and your child will be denied admission. Hell, if that were the case, you wouldn't want to send your kid to the school anyway. What happens when the kid asks a question that is answered in the textbook? Is s/he drummed out of the corps?
There is an analogy to the job interview in the admissions process, but it's the parent interview -- not the Open House. |
Anonymous
It would indeed be stupid to ask this question. But I did find myself in this exact situation (pre-K son reading at 2nd grade level). So I asked about the way the curriculum would be adapted for children with different learning styles and at different levels. No indication that my ds was reading, or even a hint of a veiled brag. It was an open-ended question that could just as easily been asked by someone whose child had a learning disability and gave the administrators the ability to address a question that could be informative to all the parents in attendance. |
Anonymous
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The simple fact is that schools have way too many applicants. The Open House can be used as a way to evaluate. I know of several schools where they ask their tour guides to give feedback on the families they hosted and for an indication of what they asked about, how interested, etc.
I have personally attended open house where a parent has asked a question that appeared to paint them as too picky and then watched other parents smile to themselves knowing that this particular parent will be remembered - and not for the right reasons. |
Anonymous
Then again, it's not other prospective parents making admissions decisions. For all you know, the admissions folks are taking down the names of the folks with the smug smiles. |
Anonymous
Charming. |
Anonymous
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It just makes simple sense to go into any important situation as prepared and polished as possible. If you are prepared and personable, your first impression remains strong. In this day and age of many apps=few openings, any edge you can get will help.
As a former parent association president, I have been told many times by various administrative and support types that they have all been around long enough to get a quick read on parents and know which ones will be supportive and which ones will end up being PITAs. Nice to think that how you come across in an Open House doesn't really matter. But dealing in reality is so much better and wil get you the results you want. |
Anonymous
; ) |
Anonymous
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The reality is that keeping your mouth shut at an Open House doesn't get your kid into a private school and asking a basic/obvious/important question that might have been answered elsewhere doesn't constitute a black mark against your child's admission.
Yes, if you say something obnoxious or offensive during a tour, you can assume that there's a good chance that that comment will be passed on. But the advice given here was don't ask questions at an Open House if the answers might already be on the school's website. That's ridiculous. The questions are answered on the website because they are legitimate questions that many people will care about. Open Houses are held to provide information about the school. Any decent educational institution recognizes that it's best to provide important information in multiple ways, that asking questions isn't a sign that someone is a PITA, that it's really counterproductive to create an environment in which people are afraid to ask questions for fear others will think they are stupid. Some parent volunteers, on the other hand, have a stake in making the process appear more daunting than it is and in exaggerating their own importance. |
Anonymous
Yes, well said. While I may not necessarily like the admissions process, once we decided to go down the road, we tried to remember, especially as our DC was applying for an early grade, that both we and DC were being vetted. |
Anonymous
| think sorority rush - there is def. an A team they are looking for....sad but true |
Anonymous
| what BS |
Anonymous
| Not BS - looks, "cool factor" and $$$ matter - there are lots of smart kids and dorky smart parents in this town - if you, your kid or your spouse are a total frump - good luck |