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Secrets of the Open House Asking the right questions can help you get the most out of a visitor's day at an independent school.
By Christianna McCausland
Private schools in Baltimore are as prolific as the autumn leaves, and with the arrival of fall, their campuses are abloom with anxious parents attending an annual October ritual: the open house. Oh, and if you're thinking that the economic slump has private schools lowering their standards and offering a white sale on tuition, think again. Despite the more than 30,000 kids enrolled in the state's 70 independent schools, there's been no serious letup in demand or competition. So with the median tuition cost across all grade levels (for a day student) hovering at about $20,500, the selection of a private school is a weighty decision. "The open house is a time to see the school, meet the faculty, and some students," says Karen Dates-Dunmore, director of admission and outreach at The Friends School of Baltimore. "I always tell parents that it's a chance for your first introduction to the school, because everyone is obviously putting their best foot forward, and it's a chance for us to brag. The most important thing is to make sure you feel it's a good match for you; all the independent schools in Baltimore have great academic records, so feeling like you can be a part of the community is very important." The open-house season is a crowded one, and many schools may host parents on the same day or weekend, which is why it is important for parents to do their homework before they plan where they want to attend. Admissions directors echo the same sentiment: Begin your search on the Web. Most private schools have extensive information online (including admissions materials) so that parents can point and click their way through the big picture and narrow down their search to a list of preferred schools to see in person. Pay close attention to what the school offers in terms of academics, extracurricular activities, and athletics. Many schools also provide information on average class size and a list of colleges and universities where their students have been accepted, which prospective parents can find helpful in the research process. Parents can also call in advance to receive hard copy materials by mail from a diverse range of schools—coeducational, single-sex, boarding, day, parochial—that they can review before planning fall visits. Most parents have a sense of the type of environment in which they want their child to be educated. Before deciding which schools to visit, it's helpful to talk about those priorities, as well any special needs your child may have and your personal philosophy on education. "As a family, have a conversation about your own philosophy about education, and about raising strong, confident, capable—in our instance—girls," says Talia Busby Titus, director of admissions and financial aid at The Bryn Mawr School. "When families go out and see the different schools and different approaches to teaching, they themselves should have a conversation and be clear on their philosophy and what they believe is the right approach for their family to learning and teaching." Not all schools are alike in philosophy, offerings, or even open-house style. Before attending an open house, contact the school through the Web or telephone to learn the format of the day. Some schools have open houses only for middle and upper school on a given day and separate events for lower school. Some schools welcome prospective students at the events (such as Friends), while many prefer that only parents attend the open house. Open-house attendance should not be an endurance marathon. Parents should plan to visit the open houses of the top three to five schools and no more; if there are other institutions you are interested in, schedule independent tours later in the fall. Titus says that the structure of Bryn Mawr's open house works best when parents come without their student for this first glimpse into the school's offerings. "The open houses are designed for parents to get a sense of the school," she explains. "So much about choosing a private school is about the fit. I think when parents step on campus and read the philosophy statement, listen to school administrators, see the location of the school, the cost of the school—all of those things are big factors in choosing a school, and you can narrow your choices down with those alone." Parents in attendance at open houses get to see the school putting its best face forward. Expect an elaborate show-and-tell. Expect to hear from top administrators, division heads, coaches, faculty, and students. But an open house isn't just about spin-doctoring; the advantage of attending an open house, as opposed to simply making an appointment for a visit in the fall, is unprecedented access. It is unlikely, for example, that a prospective parent will get the opportunity to have a Q&A with a school head outside of the open house environment. Depending on the format of the open house, there might be student-led campus tours. And some schools have breakout sessions where parents can talk in smaller groups with faculty and students. "This is a chance for the schools to showcase who they are and to have as many parents as possible come through," says Dates-Dunmore. "This is the appetizer, per se, and then you go back later for the main course." In other words, the open house is not the time or place to ask specific questions about your family's personal financial aid needs or to air concerns about your individual child. If there are schools that stand out as good matches for your family and your student after the open house, schedule a tour for your prospective student later in the fall and plan a one-on-one meeting with admissions staff to discuss your personal needs and aspirations for your child. Despite a faltering economy, private schools remain as popular as ever, so anticipate that open houses will be crowded. If you have responded that you wish to attend and you no longer can, call the school to cancel. And admission directors underscore this: Be. On. Time. "You need to get there early or at least be on time because we often have as many as 300 people," says Dates-Dunmore. But if you can't get to an open house, don't panic. "Not attending an open house does not mean your child will not get into the school." The open house is one tool to be used in the meticulous process of finding the right school for a particular child. By doing due diligence with Internet research, open house and fall visits, and one-on-one meetings with administrators, the road to finding the best school for your child can be a smooth one.
Save the dates
Archbishop Spalding High School
St. Pius X School
St. Timothy's School
The Shoshana S. Cardin School 
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