Sidwell Open House - Do you really bring your kid?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering. We are applying for preK so it would be bringing our 4 year old. Seems like he would want to be on the playground while we would want to be touring the school.

[Anonymous]

I didn't The open houses at any of the schools are crowded,

[Anonymous]

I was wondering the same. Seems like it's more suited for older kids.

[Anonymous]

You would definitely be into the minority if you brought your kid.

[Anonymous]

Even for the Open Houses for Middle or Upper School? I thought part of the purpose of having the weekend Open Houses where kids are allowed was so the kids could come too?

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

I took our oldest to a few open houses when we first applied, and wish I hadn't. The schools were all nice about it, and we got admitted so I don't think it was a negative in their eyes. But I was distracted by my young child and could not focus on looking at the school's attributes. When my spouse asked me about the schools, my response was invariably about whether or not our child found something interesting to play with or was difficult. I found I didn't learn much for myself about the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even for the Open Houses for Middle or Upper School? I thought part of the purpose of having the weekend Open Houses where kids are allowed was so the kids could come too?

Haven't been to Sidwell's Open House, but IME it would be unusual NOT to bring your kid if looking for MS or US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even for the Open Houses for Middle or Upper School? I thought part of the purpose of having the weekend Open Houses where kids are allowed was so the kids could come too?

Haven't been to Sidwell's Open House, but IME it would be unusual NOT to bring your kid if looking for MS or US.

+1 Every open house we went to for US there were kids with parents.

[Anonymous]

The original poster has a 4 yr old. Kids do attend if its for MS or US

[Anonymous]

I went to Sidwell open house on 10/25/14 and saw many parents brought their preschoolers. If both parents are there, the distraction would be less.

[Anonymous]

That's not the point to do what others do. If having your kid there helps you to evaluate a school, do that. If not, don't.

[Anonymous]

Our whole purpose of going to the Open House is for our child to see what the MS school is like....

If I want to learn more as a parent - I would go on a tour in their Non-Open House format.

That said, we never brought our preschool children to schools (other than interview/playdate). They are too young to give feedback in that sort of setting and would likely be very distracting - making it difficult to evaluate from a parental point of view.

[Anonymous]

The admission staff may draw a negative inference about your child and his/her behavior if you leave your child at home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The admission staff may draw a negative inference about your child and his/her behavior if you leave your child at home

are you talking about for MS/US or for K? (I am assuming MS/US)