Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found open houses much more useful than EdFest. Most of the info I received at EdFest could be found on the web and it didn't really give me a good sense of the school.

I agree with this. In my opinion, EdFest was a waste of time for me. The open houses are much more informative.

It's like speed dating versus real dates. EdFEST is good (really good, actually) to get a quick feel, or ask a specific question of many schools of something that is important to you.

Anonymous wrote:How about, don't go at all, it's a waste of time.

+1

Unless you have to internet, absolutely no other time to talk to any of the school or are working the event.. I wouldn't find really worth the time.

I went once. At the time had NO clue, took 3 year old with me.. wow.. kid got a few free things from the library and some treats other booths, got the book listing all the schools, wise was not too productive. Though I did learn about some less talked about schools.. but did get many details. It really is a made house and always in a space 5 times too small and too loud.

Anonymous wrote:I found open houses much more useful than EdFest. Most of the info I received at EdFest could be found on the web and it didn't really give me a good sense of the school.

I agree with this. In my opinion, EdFest was a waste of time for me. The open houses are much more informative.

My tips:

Limit the list of schools you are interested in to no more than 10! SKIP EVERYTHING ELSE.

Don't ask nitpicky questions like about lunch or nap times. Instead - prepare your questions to get a feel for the PEOPLE, and the LEADERSHIP, and the TEACHER MORALE at the school.

Ask point blank questions that get these issues - and the school leaders, and parents reveal a lot about the school.

I found open houses much more useful than EdFest. Most of the info I received at EdFest could be found on the web and it didn't really give me a good sense of the school.

Anonymous wrote:What is WTOP?

WTOP is a news source. WOTP means "west of the park."

What is WTOP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what can you actually learn at these events?

I didn't glean any information that I couldn't find on the web. Open houses were much more useful.

I asked and wrote down after-care costs.

I found it useful. Went without kids and with a list of questions to ask each school based on our family's priorities. Also went to open houses.

Anonymous wrote:what can you actually learn at these events?

I didn't glean any information that I couldn't find on the web. Open houses were much more useful.

Anonymous wrote:what can you actually learn at these events?

We went when kids were about to enter PK3.

The mistake we made was bringing 2 year old twins. That was disastrous and our own fault.

The event was useful though. Principals and vice-principals from our in bound and close by in bounds schools were all quite different and hearing from them and getting their take on their schools was really helpful. Hearing from charters on approach, theme, etc. was also helpful and make us cross a couple off the visit list and add some we'd not have gone to otherwise.

what can you actually learn at these events?

Anonymous wrote:How about, don't go at all, it's a waste of time.

I didn't find that to be the case.

How about, don't go at all, it's a waste of time.

Let's start an EdFest pro-tips thread.

Mine:
1) Do NOT take your kid
2) If you have a baby in arms, don't take a stroller, wear the baby.
3) Start in the back and move to the front. The schools are usually in alphabetically order, and people almost always start in the front.
4) Don't waste your time, unless you are inbound, visiting with any WOTP elementaries.