What to Ask About and Look for During a School Visit

Questions to Ask

If the school’s Report Card or brochure doesn’t include the information below, ask any or all of the questions below during your school visit. Feel free to add other questions that concern you.

Staff, Services and Communication

Does the school have specialized staff? What days/hours are they available? (Sometimes these professionals serve more than one school.)

Librarian

School nurse

School Psychologist/Counselor

Guidance Counselors

Resource Specialist/Special Education teacher

Physical education teacher

Other _______________________________________________________

Enrichment Programs and Services

What programs are offered? Which activities get the most attention and resources?

Sports ____________________________________

Music ____________________________________

Drama

Field trips and assembly programs

Homework club/tutoring _______________________

Before- and after-school childcare ________________

Gifted program

Yearbook staff

Clubs for specific interests/hobbies _______________

Transportation by school bus _____________________

Other: _______________________________________

Communicating with Parents

The school communicates with parents through:

Parent-teacher conferences, which take place: _____ at the end of each grading period ______ as requested

Parent-teacher communication (phone/Voicemail, email, written notes)

School website, school newspaper, notices sent home with students

Other: _______________________________________

How does the school communicate with non-English speaking parents? ________________________________________________________

Safety, Behavior, and Discipline

School Safety

The school has an emergency plan (for campus and local/regional/national disasters).

The school conducts emergency training and drills.

A police officer is on campus during school hours and after-school activities.

What is the school's safety record? _____________________________________________________________

How does the school communicate with parents during emergencies (like lock-downs or emergency closure)? ____________________

How does the school send emergency messages to non-English speaking parents? __________________________________________________________

How does the school prevent and address problems with weapons, vandalism, etc.? ____________________________________________________________

Behavior and Discipline

How does the school:

Teach students become good citizens? _________________________

Enforce the dress code? Are uniforms required? _______________________

Handle students who misbehave? _________________________

Prevent and manage bullying, harassment, and drug/alcohol abuse? Are there programs and policies? ______________________________________

What to Look for During Your School Visit

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Below is a list of things to look for during your school visit. Jot down your impressions, and add comments as you see fit.

Facilities, Inside and Out

Classrooms:

are clean and well-organized.

The desks, white boards, and multimedia equipment are in good condition.

Cafeteria and vending machines offer healthy meals and snacks.

Library:

Has current, well-maintained books and other materials.

Has computers and Internet access (with filtering/monitoring).

Is clean, organized, well-lit, and quiet enough for studying.

The buildings look safe and well-maintained.

The buildings are accessible to people with physical disabilities.

Playground and playing fields (and sports/play structures) look safe and well-maintained.

Note any concerns here: _________________________________________________________________