What to Really Look For at a School Open House

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Let’s be perfectly candid, you and I both know that an Open House is a dolled-up sales pitch meant to entice prospective parents and students. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, so long as you know precisely what you want and need for your child, and are willing to take a long hard look at the school, do some independent research, and ask in-depth questions.

The facilities

Some things go without saying. Observe how well-kept the school grounds and facilities are, especially if there is real grass and trees. Overgrown shrubbery and stagnant drains will be breeding grounds for mosquitoes in summer and autumn, which increase the risk of diseases like encephalitis and dengue fever. It also says a lot about the school’s economic status if they aren’t able to maintain their premises. If the school has a pool, ask about the chlorine levels and how often it is cleaned. One really good way to test the school’s facilities is to use them – so go ahead and visit the washroom, because if you can’t bear to use it, you can bet your child won’t either.

As a bonus question, ask if parents are allowed to use the school’s facilities as well. Certain international schools allow parents to use facilities such as the gym or jogging track.

The food

If your children have any allergies, or if you don’t yet know if they have any allergies, you should have this on your list of questions. But beyond making sure that the school knows how to prevent and handle food reactions, it is important to find out who is providing meals for your child. Most schools use an external caterer, so do some research on the company that will be feeding your child every day. A company that’s had any history of food contamination should definitely be avoided, but even one that has not maintained a professional contract with a school for more than a year should raise red flags.

The language(s)

Depending on what you want for your child, ensure that the school has the capability to teach the language(s) you desire. Most international schools have at least an hour of Chinese language learning a day, but if this is not enough for you, look into a school that has a dual-language program where they teach all subjects in both languages.

Beyond the curriculum, however, what may be more important is the school environment – this consists of the staff as well as the students. The Open House is a great opportunity to find out what the other students are like and which languages they speak. Chances are your child will end up using the language they hear their peers use most often, so choose wisely.

The staff

It’s best if you can find out who exactly your children’s teachers will be and get to know them a little, especially how long they have worked at the school. If the teacher is new, try to meet them in person and see how they get along with you and your child. It is also wise to find out how much of the school staff is new, especially in important administrative and teaching positions. A school that has a high turnover rate may suggest that they don’t invest in human resources, which could signal deeper problems. Also, as expats, we know the value of people sticking around, especially in our kids’ lives. So try to make sure that the school teachers and staff intend to stay for a while.

The other parents

Your child’s school is as much a choice for you as it is for your child. You’re going to be in a WeChat group with the other parents and run into them at pick up and drop-off, school fairs, and the rest. So when you’re at the Open House, look around and imagine spending some time with the other adults there. If that seems like time well spent, then you’re probably making the right choice.

Images: Unsplash

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