Back-to-school time is in full swing bringing with it new beginnings! Schools around the nation have kicked off their back-to-school nights and open houses, providing families with a glimpse into the upcoming school year. School open houses offer the chance to get a firsthand look into what your child will be learning and the extracurricular activities that will shape their school year.
Whether you’re visiting the school for the first time or returning with another child, each visit is unique and asking the right questions during these visits plays a crucial part into decision-making later. To help make sure you don’t miss anything important, we’ve put together this list of questions to help you navigate through this process with ease and confidence.
Attending Your Child’s School Open House
Attending your child’s school open house can put you in the driver’s seat of your child’s educational journey. You will get to know faculty, learn how you can monitor your child’s academic progress, discover important school resources, and make sure that your child will thrive in their learning environment throughout the school year. Open houses also foster a partnership between parents and educators, making your child’s educational experience feel like a joined effort.
This involvement early on in your child’s academic year can help to make sure your child is set up for success across the board. This first-hand experience can help reduce worries about the new school year your child may have, making the environment more familiar and welcoming to them. As they become more comfortable in their surroundings, they gain confidence, leading to greater participation and engagement in their learning.
Your early involvement sets the tone for a successful year, empowering you to take an active and informed role in their education and confidence to guide them throughout the school year.
Key Question to Ask at an Open House
1. What does the curriculum look like?
Understanding what your child will be learning during the school year is crucial. This information will help you comprehend the key topics and skills your child will learn. It will provide valuable insight into the subjects covered, the depth of the content, and the overall academic expectations for your child. For example, you might want to ask about the English Language Arts (ELA) program to understand if the school uses a literature-based like the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt curriculum approach involving deep literature analysis, a vocabulary based ELA program like the Wonder (McGraw Hill) curriculum combining aspects of reading and writing, or a more structured, phonics-based approach like Open Court curriculum.
Being aware of what your child will be taught can better prepare you to ensure that your child is progressing and can also equip you to assist with homework help when needed.
Some additional thing to consider are:
- What are the different indicators to look for to make sure your child is understanding the curriculum?
- How will this be reflected in your child’s homework?
2. What does a typical day look like for students in this grade level?
It’s important to ask about a typical day to understand the daily structure and routine your child will experience. This will give you a clear picture of how time is divided between different subjects, activities, and breaks, helping to ensure that the schedule meets your child’s needs. Learning about the balance between academic instruction, physical activities, creative arts, and other programs can help you gauge whether the school provides a well-rounded education.
3. How are different learning styles addressed in the classroom?
Every child learns differently, and this question ensures the school recognizes and addresses different learning needs. By understanding the teaching methods and strategies used to address diverse learners–such as visual aids for visual learners, discussions for auditory learners, or, if your child is more of a hands-on learner, more hands-on activities—you can better determine whether the teacher’s approach will meet your child’s individual needs and whether you may need to utilize resources outside the classroom to achieve that.
Additionally, knowing how your child learns best can help guide you in finding complementary learning resources outside of the classroom like educational apps and games, tutoring, or study techniques tailored to their learning style.
Some additional things to consider are:
- Are there different teaching methods used to address the different learning styles?
- What is the teacher’s gameplan to help students with different learning styles?
- What are some additional resources outside of the classroom for students with different learning styles?
4. What methods do you use to motivate students?
Motivation plays an important role in student engagement. This question will reveal the school’s approach to encouraging students, whether through rewards, recognition, or motivation techniques. Learning about the school’s motivational strategies will help you understand how they foster a positive learning environment and encourage students to achieve their best. It will also provide insight into the school culture and how it supports students’ emotional and academic growth.
5. How can I make sure I am involved in my child’s progress?
Active parental involvement can make your child’s educational journey worthwhile and creates a strong school community. By asking this question, you’ll understand how you can participate in school activities, volunteer, join parent-teacher associations, or contribute to school events. This involvement can not only help you stay engaged in your child’s education but also build a network with other parents, creating a supportive community around your child.
Some additional things to consider are:
- How included can parents be in the teachers decision making process?
- Are there any workshops or resources to help parents support their child’s learning?
6. How do you measure students’ success?
Keeping track of your child’s progress ensures you can best support their academic growth. You’ll learn about the types of assessments used, such as tests, projects, and the timing and process of progress reporting. You will be able to use this information to understand how the school measures academic growth and whether it provides feedback that allows you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible.
7. Are there support services available, such as tutoring and counseling?
Support services are important when addressing academic, emotional, and social challenges. By asking about the support services, you’ll discover the types of resources available and how students can access these services. Knowing that the school offers comprehensive support can provide peace of mind that your child will receive the help they need to succeed academically and emotionally when needed.
Some additional things to consider are:
- How would students and parents access these services?
- Are these services free of charge?
- Are there any follow-up processes to make sure that students are benefiting from these services?
8. How can I support my child’s learning at home?
Parental support at home can reinforce classroom learning and contribute to academic growth. This question will provide you with tips and strategies for helping with homework, fostering good study habits, and supporting your child’s overall learning. The more you understand how you can complement the school’s efforts, the easier it will be to provide a cohesive and supportive home learning environment for your child.
Additional Tips
- Bringing a notebook for notes, and any forms or documents provided by the school can help you make the most of the open house.
- Following up with an email or phone call to the teacher or school administration can help address any additional questions or concerns you may have after the open house.
- Involving your child in the open house can help them feel more comfortable and engaged in their education. Encourage them to ask questions and share their thoughts.
By asking the right questions, you can build a strong partnership with the school and support your child’s academic growth. Most importantly, just showing up—whether you prepare questions or not—helps establish a positive relationship with your child’s teacher and ultimately supports your child’s success.
Still need help deciding what to ask at your child’s open house? Taking our Family’s School Choice Priorities quiz can help you clarify what matters most to your family. This interactive quiz goes over factors such as teaching approach, extracurricular activities, and community involvement so that you can be fully equipped to ask about what matters most to you.
