Has anyone been able to "tour" an elementary school?

[Anonymous]

I am starting the search for K for my son and am going to some of the open houses at private school. I want to fully educate myself and don't want to rule out our public school option. However, when I called Luxmanor elementary and asked if I could attend the open house for kids going into school this fall (it was in May) they told me I couldn't and it was only for new students. I asked if I could visit the school during the fall and was told no. I can't wait until next May because private schools require that you make a decision before March. Help?

[Anonymous]

really? our elementary school offered tours of the school every month. you just had to sign up. it was great. we went twice and it was what helped us make the decision between private and public.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I've heard that other schools have offered tours, but I was not offered that option. I even spoke with the lady that is the head of the Kindergarten Orientation. What school did tour? It just doesn't make sense to me that a parent could not get that opportunity at Luxmanor. The lady was perfectly nice and told me that everyone loves Luxmanor, which may very well be true, but I'd like to make that assessment for myself.

[Anonymous]

Most don't allow tours

[Anonymous]

Move to Fairfax County. Every school in FCPS I've worked in has always given parents a tour.

It's a no brainer in building community.

[Anonymous]

Ask if you can observe a K classroom instead. It takes staff time to actually give a tour. They might be fine with your just observing and that would give you a really good sense.

[Anonymous]

We toured Wood Acres.

[Anonymous]

I looked at three elementaries around Bethesda and all offered tours (in the Nov-March time frame).

There is school on Columbus Day in MCPS but it's a visiting day for parents of enrolled kids. If a school doesn't offer tours I wonder if they'd let you sit in a class.

[Anonymous]

I toured our ES in MOCO twice in 2 years. Each time they were happy to let me have a look and the assistant principal is who took me around both times. It was a short tour, but I did get to ask the questions I wanted and look at what I wanted to see. I thought it was up to the school principal as to whether they would allow you to tour--so it's a school by school thing. It's asham that you were refused OP. If I were you I would show up to speak with the principal or assistant principal to ask questions and get a short tour once the school year has been going on for several weeks this fall.

[Anonymous]

I think the timing of asking is what is the problem. They are getting ready for a new year and this is probably not the best time to be asking for tours. I think October would be a better time to ask for a tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the timing of asking is what is the problem. They are getting ready for a new year and this is probably not the best time to be asking for tours. I think October would be a better time to ask for a tour.

And you'd get to see the school with the kids there. That's really what you want to see. Right now, it's all about cleaning floors, moving furniture and delivering supplies.

[Anonymous]

I was told at our elementary that we could not visit K orientation either, but the principal allowed me to come visit a K class and also speak with her afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda Elementary had tours weekly, I think (if there were takers)
Chevy Chase also offered tours. But at least one of them (don't remember which) did not do the tours when classes were in session.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP..

also meant to say i think you should call the office and talk to the office administrator. They are the people to ask. I can see that they wouldn't want you to come to the open house for new students, or other events that are for specific groups. The kindergarten orientation person might not know about school tours, but the front office would.

[Anonymous]

I would ask the parent of a new student to include me in the school tour in the back to school night.