Can you tour a public middle school?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Before buying in the area? Does anyone do this?
I'll call the school and ask but i want to know in advance if they will think i'm weird. What other way is there to find out about the school? Can I "crash" a PTA meeting and ask the parents their opinions of the school? I'm thinking of buying in a particular area but if we do we will be stuck and unable to afford private. |
Anonymous
|
I was not permitted to tour our local middle when my children were already students at the feeder elementary.
This was one of the various contributing factors to our decision to go private for middle. You may have a different experience! |
Anonymous
|
If everyone who was school shopping/house shopping did this, it would take an inordinate amount of time for the school staff. However, some schools may offer tours a couple of times per year (not on demand for individual families).
Going to a PTA meeting is an okay option, however, since they are usually open to anyone who wants to attend. |
Anonymous
You wouldn't be crashing a PTA meeting - you'd be attending the meeting as a prospective new member. I know that my kid's high school, which is not located in a part of Montgomery County where people would send their kids to a private school because the public school didn't allow them to tour, does let prospective students shadow. So that might be another option. |
Anonymous
|
It doesn't hurt to ask, honestly. We toured a middle school because our child with special needs was in a different cluster and that particular school offered a program tailored to his needs. They were very welcoming and allowed us to sit in on a couple of classes. General PTA meetings are technically open to the public, so you wouldn't be crashing, although you would probably be the only non-school parent there, and other parents would probably think you a little weird. |
Anonymous
|
When we were house shopping 5 years ago, one middle school gave us a tour during school hours. No sitting in on a class though. Two other middle schools would only allow us to meet with a guidance counselor.
You just have to call and ask. |
Anonymous
| A tour is not going to reveal anything about a school. You will get more information talking to people whose children have attended the school. I wouldn’t waste my time with a tour. |
Anonymous
| You can most certainly reach out to the school secretary to ask for a tour. You can also ask the principal if there are any teachers who wouldn’t mind you coming in on a half day to sit in a class or two. Alternatively, I also suggest reaching out to the school’s PTA and attending a meeting. Most PTA will treat you like an honored guest. |
Anonymous
|
Anonymous
| Call the Counseling Dept and ask to set up an appointment for a tour. They will tell you when they can (if you just show up the answer will be that they are unavailable). If there is one, attend a PTA meeting (ES, first Tuesday of the month, MS, 2nd Tuesday of the month, HS 3rd Tuesday or the month). Some schools have monthly meetings, others quarterly, so check ther website.... |
Anonymous
Pyle gives group tours. |
Anonymous
A tour reveals plenty of things, especially if you talk to the Principal, one of the counselors, etc... I have found this just as useful as talking to a plurality of parents. |
Anonymous
Same here. Went to private as well. Best decision |
Anonymous
Absolutely disagree, it reveals more than you realize! |
Anonymous
That's a lot of money to spend as a response for not being allowed to tour a public school. |