We went to EdFest and a few open houses and then ran out of steam. The open houses during the week and especially during the workday are just too much. We got enough of a sense of make a list of charters we most likely won't get into and our IB school that is a good enough backup. We've submitted our list and it feels better to just be done with it. We'll get a high lottery number and will be lucky to get into any of the schools we ranked, or we'll get a low number and strike out. We can try again next year and for K if we don't get in this year. That's the best I can do!

Our child called off a wait list after school had started with little time to make a decision and we were glad we'd attended an open house already and had a feel for the commute.

You do hear some batshit insane questions from parents so can also gauge a principal by his/her ability not to point and laugh at them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

2. Parents asks all kinds of detailed questions about things that in the end are not deal breakers. The most important thing is the people in the building especially the principal. Spend time trying to get a sense of the principal, the teachers & staff. Do they seem to get along? Do they have a sense of mission? Does the principal seem like someone a good teacher would want to work with? Does the principal
seem like a manager who would hold subpar teachers accountable? Do the teachers get professional development? Are they treated like valued professionals?

This seems like solid advice but I'm wondering how you get at the answers to these questions before you have a kid actually going to the school. From other parents who have kids there already? Are you able to see staff and principal interacting with each other at open houses? Any suggestions?

Engage the principal in conversation at the open house or around community gatherings.

Ask the principle about examples of where they have engaged teacher feedback. You'll get shallow answers from some, and others will have deeper more meaningful responses.
Ask the same for parent feedback. I can give you a handful of meaningful examples from working with our principal, which are all good signs.

Anonymous wrote:

2. Parents asks all kinds of detailed questions about things that in the end are not deal breakers. The most important thing is the people in the building especially the principal. Spend time trying to get a sense of the principal, the teachers & staff. Do they seem to get along? Do they have a sense of mission? Does the principal seem like someone a good teacher would want to work with? Does the principal
seem like a manager who would hold subpar teachers accountable? Do the teachers get professional development? Are they treated like valued professionals?

This seems like solid advice but I'm wondering how you get at the answers to these questions before you have a kid actually going to the school. From other parents who have kids there already? Are you able to see staff and principal interacting with each other at open houses? Any suggestions?

Engage the principal in conversation at the open house or around community gatherings.

2. Parents asks all kinds of detailed questions about things that in the end are not deal breakers. The most important thing is the people in the building especially the principal. Spend time trying to get a sense of the principal, the teachers & staff. Do they seem to get along? Do they have a sense of mission? Does the principal seem like someone a good teacher would want to work with? Does the principal
seem like a manager who would hold subpar teachers accountable? Do the teachers get professional development? Are they treated like valued professionals?

This seems like solid advice but I'm wondering how you get at the answers to these questions before you have a kid actually going to the school. From other parents who have kids there already? Are you able to see staff and principal interacting with each other at open houses? Any suggestions?

A few things:
1. Do a test commute. Drive there. Time it. Consider traffic.

2. Parents asks all kinds of detailed questions about things that in the end are not deal breakers. The most important thing is the people in the building especially the principal. Spend time trying to get a sense of the principal, the teachers & staff. Do they seem to get along? Do they have a sense of mission? Does the principal seem like someone a good teacher would want to work with? Does the principal
seem like a manager who would hold subpar teachers accountable? Do the teachers get professional development? Are they treated like valued professionals?

Even if you don't get internet the schools this year you may in a future year and you will be glad that you went.

I went to open houses at all 12 schools on my list and didn't get into any of them so even though they were helpful they ended up being a waste of time. Do what you can but don't feel bad about what you can't do.

Open houses are useful if only to rule some out. We were disappointed when we visited some highly regarded schools and ruled them out after the open house.

It's important to at least travel to the school to see if it is a commute you won't mind. Maybe you can visit the school during a PTA meeting or other evening or weekend event. Also you may want to check out parking in the area.

We visited lots of schools and got in the 6th choice, then 5th, and finally 4th. No more offers after that but got into a school said to be impossible to get into. The school is OK and plan to stay for all of elementary school. However, we signed up for the lottery this year just in case we change our minds about the school before May 1 and we get another good pick.

I'm a mom at Whittier and I've already done one-on-one calls with three prospective parents. I'm happy to give you a tour outside the organized open house if you just want to see inside and get a feel for it.

Email me at lawson.julie@gmail.com and let's see if we can set something up.

I actually found open houses really helpful. Before plunging in I, in my ignorance, assumed it was charter or bust, but I was positively impressed by what I saw in the schools I visited, including our IB. I came out feeling much better about our options.

You are smart to skip the Open Houses. I found them to be a complete waste of time.