Touring Private Schools? Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Visit

You are well on your way to choosing the best school for your family. You’ve done your research. You’ve made a list of all of the Christian schools in Greenville, and you’ve scoured their websites to find out about tuition, curriculum, culture, and transportation. 

Now, you’re ready for the next step: campus tours.

Tours, whether in person or virtual, give you valuable insights into schools and their communities. They offer a glimpse at what it would really be like to attend – and they help you know for certain if a school is the right fit. But how do you get the most out of your visit?

Preparation makes all the difference.

Most school websites feature a section that addresses frequently asked questions on how to tour a private school. FAQ pages will cover everything from how to schedule a visit to how much time you should plan on being on campus.

Parents are typically encouraged to bring prospective students along on the tour so they can get an experience of campus life. Younger siblings can be a distraction, so plan to make alternate arrangements for a more focused tour experience.

Plan to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. At Greenville Christian Academy, you’ll visit classrooms and see students collaborating and solving problems. You’ll explore the auditorium and gymnasium to learn about the fine arts program and athletic teams. Along the way, you’ll meet teachers and administrators and have the chance to ask your own questions.

The most productive questions are the ones that uncover how well these schools align with your family’s values and goals.

In order to find that alignment, you’ll want your questions to focus on three key areas:

• Spiritual and character development
• Academic foundation
• School culture

Before your tour, write down questions for each of those key areas – and don’t be afraid to ask for specific examples. 

How do you handle disagreements among students? 

How much homework is assigned each night? 

What do you offer for students interested in music? 

What safety measure have you implemented?

If it’s important to you and your family, don’t hesitate to ask. Then, listen with your ears, your eyes, and your heart.

You’ll often learn more from what you see during a school tour than what you hear. Watch for how students interact with one another. Look for how well teachers seem to know the strengths and struggles of their students. 

Do students seem excited to be at school? Are they engaged? 

And, finally, is this a place your family could belong?

Once you have that answer, you’ll easily see which school rises to the top of your list.

Learn More About Greenville Christian Academy

At GCA, we seek to educate students academically, spiritually, and socially. Download your Parent Info Packet to see how we offer a distinctively Christian education.