A checklist for your school visit

Brochures and websites are designed to look great; the real atmosphere on an ordinary school day is what tells the truth. Try to visit on a teaching day, not just at an open house.

What to observe

• Do children look engaged and happy
• How teachers speak to children when they think no one is watching
• Cleanliness, safety, toilets, play areas
• Real classrooms, not just show rooms
• Traffic and pick-up/drop-off at peak times

What to ask

• Teacher-to-student ratio and teacher turnover
• Policy for children who struggle to adjust or have special needs
• How and how often the school communicates with parents
• Where recent graduates continued their education
• How the school handles an unhappy child

Red flags

• Dodging questions about cost or student outcomes
• Not letting you see real classrooms
• Unusually high teacher turnover
• Pressure to decide or pay immediately

Write notes right after the visit while impressions are fresh, then compare schools side by side. Not sure where to start? Try Match first.