Reply to FYI for all the people who say "go visit a school to see what it's really like"

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Reply to "FYI for all the people who say "go visit a school to see what it's really like""

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[quote=Anonymous]Attend a PTA meeting; you should be able to see the meeting schedule on the school or the PTA's own website. PTA meetings aren't closed; no one will toss you out for not having a kid at the school yet. What are the PTA priorities? Are they scrambling to stay afloat and scraping up money, or are they full of projects that directly benefit students? Is the principal at the meeting if there is reason for him or her to be?

Locate a neighborhood listserv (or whatever they're called now )for the area of the school and see what people in the neighborhood talk about. 
 
If your kids are young enough to be playground age, take them to playgrounds in that area on weekends and strike up conversations--be open about the fact you're considering moving there and you'd love to hear about  the schools. Some school playgrounds are open for public use outside school hours; you might be able to take your kids to play at the school they'd attend if you moved. And you're likely to meet parents with kids who attend that school.

Approach that after hours school tour you booked with a more open attitude--you won't see kids in classes but the up side is you may be able to ask a teacher questions. Look at the facilities, see if the school seems well kept or worn out (ask: any building work planned? When? Would parts of the building close for renovation if one is on the calendar?....). See if the library is well supplied or skimpy on books (and ask: are there reading groups, book clubs etc.? Our ES had them). Ask to see the music classroom or band/strings room(s) if they have them for older students; etc. etc. You can get a lot out of an after school tour if you really look and ask a lot of questions. [/quote]

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