What to Look For on a School Visit: 10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask

A school visit is the single most useful hour you will spend choosing a school. But it is easy to walk out with a lovely impression and no real answers. Go in with a few good questions — and watch for the small things no brochure can show.

Ten questions worth asking

1. How many children are in a class, and how many teachers? The ratio tells you how much individual attention your child will get.
2. How are teachers trained, and how long do they usually stay? Low teacher turnover is one of the best signs of a healthy school.
3. What does a normal day look like? Ask about the balance of classroom learning, play, sport, the arts and rest.
4. How do you support a child who is struggling — or one who is ahead? Listen for specific examples, not general promises.
5. How is progress shared with parents? Report cards, meetings, portfolios, messages — and how often.
6. How do you handle discipline and conflict between children? The answer reveals the school’s values.
7. How much homework is there at each stage? Especially important in the early years.
8. What happens beyond academics? Sports, music, dance, art, clubs — and whether they are part of the timetable or optional extras.
9. How is safety managed? Campus access, CCTV, transport, and who supervises children at arrival and dismissal.
10. Can I talk to a current parent? A confident school will not hesitate.

What to watch, not just ask

• How children behave when no one is performing. Are they busy, relaxed and curious, or waiting to be told what to do?
• How teachers speak to children. Tone of voice says more than a mission statement.
• The walls. Children’s own work, not only printed posters, shows real learning.
• Toilets, water and play areas. Clean, child-sized and well supervised is what you want.
• Your child’s reaction. If they want to stay a little longer, that is worth noting.

Before you leave

Ask about the next step: the application, any interaction or assessment for your child, and when you can expect a decision. Write down your impressions in the car on the way home — after three or four visits, schools blur together quickly.

Visiting Darwin

Our Discovery Tour runs on selected Saturdays. Registration is at 4:15 pm and the programme starts at 4:30 pm. You will walk through our Montessori and ICSE classrooms, meet our educators, and have time for every question on this list.