Exploring new schools for your child? Here’s what to ask.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Open House Season has arrived! Feeling overwhelmed? Here are six things to ask as an interested parent or guardian.

Fall is officially here and definitely in full swing! This time of year, it is common for families to take the opportunity to explore their options for the following school year or make a change in their child’s school. This process typically kicks off with attending an interested parent and family open house.

Whether you're attending a virtual or in-person open house, you should still be able to ask questions, see photos or videos, and talk with school staff. An open house is a prime opportunity to ask any questions you have regarding the school and the future success of your child.

1. What’s the cost of attendance for your child?

The cost of tuition and other financial fees, requirements, and resources is one of the most crucial questions to ask at an open house. If you’re exploring private schools, you might feel a sense of sticker shock, but be sure to dig deeper. Many schools offer financial aid. For children with learning differences, some scholarships are available based on a child’s IEP. Be sure to ask if the school is a provider of such scholarships. Determining if the financial commitment is within your family’s budget before going through the next phases of the enrollment process is of high importance.

Julie Billiart Schools keeps tuition and fees as low as possible to make our award-winning education feasible for families of all backgrounds. Every family at Julie Billiart Schools receives some form of financial support in the form of scholarships or financial aid.

2. What does a typical day for a student at this school look like?

In the age of COVID, you may or may not be able to fully tour the school and observe classes. Make sure to ask questions about what a day in the life of your child would look like. How do drop-off and dismissal work? What is the first thing your child will do during the school day? When are recess and lunch? When are the heartiest academics covered? What are the school’s policies on uniforms, field trips, or aftercare? Additionally, schools sometimes have different requirements and philosophies about what to teach, how to teach, and how to evaluate their students. Explore what topics are covered in the school’s curriculum and how they evaluate, report, and support the success of their students. This is especially important if your child has learning differences.

Julie Billiart Schools’ curriculum encompasses age, ability, and developmentally appropriate coursework. You can find JB-specific details per grade level here.

3. What support resources are available to my child?

Every parent knows that a great education is more than just academics. For children with special social and learning needs, in particular, parents should ask about available intervention, accommodations, therapies, and supports. Are there people and places available to your child to turn to for additional guidance and support? When looking at a special needs school, are there sensory supports or opportunities for adaptive learning? Your child may need help outside of the classroom, so investigating their support options at an open house is a great way to proactively ensure the best fit for your child.

Find resources that can help you support your child’s journey here.

4. What are the school’s safety precautions and practices (especially related to COVID-19)?

Safety in schools is always important but is now even more critical in the time of a pandemic. What precautions and safety measures is the school taking to ensure the well-being of its students, faculty, and staff? In terms of COVID-19, what social distancing and health initiatives are in place? With 2020 changing what a normal school day looks like, families may be looking for schools that offer flexibility with in-person and virtual options. A safety-conscious school will have a team dedicated to routinely evaluating health and safety protocols.

Julie Billiart Schools have responded to the pandemic by implementing a COVID-19 Resource Hub.

5. Does the school align with my family’s personal core values?

Recognizing and resonating with a school’s mission is important to consider when attending an open house and ultimately deciding on the right school for your child. What’s important to you and your family’s personal core values? For example, is religion important to integrate? Are the staff reliable and committed to the children they serve? Is the school culture supportive of your child’s success? Only your family can determine what the most important needs are that must be met by your child’s school.

At Julie Billiart Schools, our mission is to nurture and empower students with special learning needs. As Catholic K-8 schools rooted in the educational principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame, we welcome diverse faith traditions. Find out what makes the JB experience different here.

6. What dates and other information regarding enrollment, registration, and other next steps are important?

Make sure to take down any important dates for deadlines of applications, registrations, and enrollment during an open house. What is the cut off date to enroll for the following school year? What is required when filling out applications and registration paperwork? Does said paperwork need to be submitted in hard copy, or can it be done electronically? If your child is a transfer student, are there different steps to take in the enrollment process? Doing this legwork early ensures that your family is ahead of the curve and will be in the best position to submit any required paperwork or applications on time for the upcoming school year.

Open houses are exciting! Make sure to get the most out of your experience by keeping all of the above in mind. Our admissions team is here to help answer questions and help you find the best environment for your child, whether that's right now or in the years to come.

Register for a JB Open House

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