Preparing for School Visits, AKA “Shadow Day”

When deciding which school is the right fit for your child, nothing is more important than the shadow day.  However, there are a few questions families should consider before they go: How can your child prepare for their shadow day?  How can they make the most of their visit?  What should they look for? Finally, as a parent, how do you know if the day went well?

The overall private school application process is typically broken into several parts, with the school visit or shadow day being one of the most important.  This visit typically follows the tour and interview and allows the potential student to see a “day in the life” firsthand at that particular school.  At the same time, the school staff has an opportunity to provide feedback to admissions on whether they feel there was a good fit based on peer interaction and the school’s culture.

Keep in mind that, depending on the child’s age and grade, parents and students may have different “must-haves” when it comes to potential schools including the following:

Important for Parents:

·         Strength of school curriculum

·         Parent-teacher communication

·         College matriculation rates

·         Access to foreign language instruction

·         Access to outside academic help and tutoring

·         Technology

Important for Students:

·         Feeling accepted

·         Friendly peers and teachers

·         Sports, arts and other extracurricular offerings

·         Small class sizes and access to teachers

Regardless of the differences, there are things parents and students can do prior to visiting to ensure they make the most of the day. Parents should do their homework before visiting each school.  Should the child bring a snack and/or a lunch?  Will they be assigned a staff member to check in with throughout the day?  Is there is a school dress code, and what constitutes proper attire? Will the student be able to attend classes outside of the core subjects?  Will they be asked to participate in classroom work and discussions?  How soon should parents follow up with the school after the visit?

The best way to clarify these questions is to ask them directly of school representatives ahead of time. Professionals from independent schools throughout Massachusetts will be available to meet with families at Private School Innovator’s free Private School Forum at the Sheraton in Needham, Mass., this Sunday, September 29th from 1-3 p.m. The Forum will bring together more than 60 leading schools and feature an admissions panel discussion and Q&A session, an exhibition where students and parents can engage directly with admissions representatives, and a keynote speech from Dr. David Shim, a clinical psychologist and prominent Boston University professor. Registration is free on the PSI website.

The best way to determine whether your child had a successful school visit is by their face when you pick them up – their smile will say it all!  Plan to sit down and discuss the experience while the details of the day are still fresh.  Use your original list of priorities as a guide to determine whether the school seems like a good fit.  Remember to consider your child’s overall feeling about the school in the decision-making process.