DS has revisit days at 4 different schools coming up and I’ve been putting a list together of things we are going to be looking out for and asking at each visit. There are probably things I haven’t thought of, and I’m looking for suggestions to add to my mental list. This list is for my DS who is coming in as an upperclassmen, but feel free to add to this list for questions more relevant to an incoming 9th grader.
Do the kids look happy?
Is everyone attentive, challenged, and having a good time in class?
Do I like the teachers?
How is the food? And hours in which you can get food? Policy for keeping food in the dorm? Do the dorms have microwaves, fridges, etc?
Are there week night activities?
As a boarder, are people sticking around on the weekends?
What are the weekend activities like?
Specifically at schools with less boarders but still a majority: How many of the boarding students are international students? For example (pardon my PC), I don’t want my DS to be stuck with 15 chinese kids on the weekend.
Is there good school spirit? Do kids like going to school sporting events?
What is the internet policy, is it shut off? And when?
Is there an option for a single or double?
How much time will it take to travel for sports?
Are there trainers on staff?
Can my DS use the gym anytime he wants? Is there a fitness culture at the school? (very important to my son)
Is there a time and place for video games and TV? I know this isn’t practical but having the opportunity on the weekends is nice
Is there study hall? And what times (can be different from 9th graders to 12th graders)
Is their wifi and cell phone access throughout the school? (This is a problem at Hotchkiss for example)
Do kids hang out together in common spaces or are they mostly in their dorms? Same as for studying in the library?
Are there staff who can help them on things like proofreading essays?
Do the teachers live on campus? Are they available after hours?
Can you sleep late on the weekend?
Can my child’s dietary restrictions be accommodated?
College counseling–
Medication-How is it administered? Will my child have to walk far across campus at morning and night to have it adminstered? Ex. if they take medication for sleep, will they have flexibility at what time to take it?
Are the kids stressed?
Does everyone stick to their self? Is there a good social culture?
(I know some of these things can be found in each schools handbook, but I just wanted to make a list of everything I should find out about each school)