I would like to visit my high school but I don’t know if I should call before I visit or if I can just get a visitors pass when I get there.
Do you plan on visiting former teachers? If so, I recommend sending them an email to see if they’ll be available (and to remind them of your name!). Most schools don’t allow visitors to wander around. If you aren’t sure of the school’s visitor policies (they are likely on the school’s website) then calling is fine.
Security is much tighter at a lot of high schools these days. You might well be asked what your business is at the high school. I get asked every time. Set up appointments if you want to see old teachers. Don’t assume you can walk right in.
You no doubt have specific teachers and other people who you’d like to see. Check with them first to make sure they will be available and if it is a good day to visit (a teacher may have a lot of exams or extra meetings or assemblies scheduled on a given day). If your school is fussy about visitors passes, then having a teacher or other staff member who is expecting you will be important.
Few high school’s will allow a former student, or anyone, to just wander around.
In this day and age, you definitely need to made arrangements and not just show up. Funny story - as a graduating HS senior, my son tried to visit his favorite elementary school teacher. (The schools were all in the same area. ) The school now has a Ring type security system. The office workers remembered my son fondly and greeted him warmly and still wouldn’t open the door. Nope, Bye Sweetie. No interruptions.
My daughter’s HS went on lock down last year when an alum came to visit and never checked in at the office. A new teacher saw a man walking the halls in between classes and he didn’t stop when the teacher called out to him. Teacher called the office who said no one had checked in and the police were called and the school locked down. Make arrangements!
Also ask, when you call, what time would be best. I assume after school would be good. I agree that you should contact at least one person you want to meet with so you have a valid reason to go into the school.