When the Kowalski parents saw the first grade teacher sitting on the floor, counting sticks with a group of children, they were hooked. The school seemed right for their sons. But when they saw a fourth grade class learning basic physics principles using a student-built Tinker Toy amusement park, they turned to each other and said, “We want to go to school here, too!”
When your child goes to school each morning, it must be a great fit for him or her. It must also be a great match for your family.
“The odds of making a good decision about a school go up if you find a school culture that fits your family’s values,” said Ronnie Montgomery, associate director of admission at Westtown School.
Puzzle Pieces
Open houses are just one piece of the puzzle in finding the right school. These visits can help narrow your search, as well as supply the jigsaw piece that creates a broad picture of the place your child will spend each day.
According to Leon Spencer, director of enrollment at Tatnall, the process of finding the right fit should start a year before your child enters school. It includes research, open houses, individual tours, daylong children’s visits, evaluations and interviews.
Margaret Ann Kowalski, Thornbury resident and mom of twin boys who entered kindergarten last year, said she and her husband wanted a school that could provide plenty of attention and appreciate their sons’ unique characteristics. They also wanted to be part of a community.
There were numerous solid options — independent and public — nearby. Beginning their search when their sons were 3½ years old, they talked to other parents, visited websites and schools.
The Kowalskis attended five open house events. “I even called the local public school and asked for a tour,” Margaret Ann said.
Preparing for an Open House
Open houses across schools share many similarities. They provide opportunities to see the school community from various perspectives: parents, students, faculty and administration. Open houses include tours, panel discussions and question and answer sessions.
Sally Goebel, director of admissions at The Baldwin School, said that although open houses are not the place to hear answers to private questions, they are an efficient way to get an overview of a handful of schools.
To attend: Find open house dates on a school’s website (and in the directory following this article). Determine whether reservations are required before you go and who is invited — just parents, or students, siblings and Grandma. Establish whether it’s a structured event that starts at a specific time and follows an agenda, or if it’s a casual drop-in affair.
Attend on a school day to get the feel of student-faculty interactions on a typical day, some parents advise. Or visit on a weekend or evening session to talk with teachers and save time for personal tours and visits, say dual-career families.
Do your homework: Preparation can be as simple as reading the school’s website or information packet, or as extensive as a full-blown research project.
Know thyself: Know your child. Do this before you arrive on campus. Articulate your family’s values. Jot down goals — they may differ for elementary, middle or upper school grades.
Talk with your spouse: Discuss expectations for academic rigor, discipline and involvement.
Read Up: Check the school’s mission statement on its website or printed literature.
Advance preparation can relieve pressure that accompanies making a big decision. (See the sidebar, above.)
Make the Most of the Event
For maximum learning in minimal time, enter with an open mind, sharp eyes and big ears. From the topic of costs, to commitment to diversity, to community service, ask any question that interests you. “Take notes,” suggested Lynne Hay, director of admission at Episcopal Academy. “This is a big investment, so be as informed as possible.”
Observe sights along the tour. They speak volumes.
•Hallway Art. Walls of buildings talk through photographs, paintings and signs. Subject matter and the artists themselves — students, teachers or outside professionals — should reflect the school’s mission.
•Classroom structure. Furniture placement can hint at flexible or formal, traditional or outside-the-box styles.
•Projects. Group or individual projects reflect creativity and opportunities for different learning styles, as well as indicate subjects being studied.
•Written compositions. Essays provide a window into the minds of students, their families and school events, plus writing skill levels at different ages.
•Evidence of school pride. Look for school T-shirts, multiple children from one family or a note posted thanking parents for annual fund donations.
The Baldwin School’s Goebel offered some final advice: “Try to resist the urge to distill each school into a sound bite. Listen to a variety of stories from different perspectives. What are the compelling themes? The process of figuring out how a complex child will be served well by a complex educational community requires patience, listening and reflection.” -CL-
Make it Fun - Reduce the Stress
Open houses should be enjoyable. Meeting interesting people, seeing lovely Brandywine Valley campuses, and easting tasty cookies should be pleasant.
Nathan Bohn, director of admission at Westtown School, provided tips for reducing stress that accompanies making a big decision about education.
• Share stories. Open house tours often prompt parents’ stories of past school days — experiences they want their children to repeat or avoid. Talk about your happiest, most frustrating and influential moments before the event, instead of uncovering a point of contention afterward.
• Focus on your child’s current level of development. Evaluating a high school when your child is in kindergarten causes undue agony. Kids and circumstances may change considerably in any 12-year period. Choose a school that might fit for a decade and re-assess, at minimum, before middle and upper school.
• Know when to involve your child. It’s unrealistic to expect five-year-olds to help make decisions about their education. Leave tiny children at home or take advantage of babysitting provided at some open houses. Do ask your high school student for their observations and reactions.
Open Houses for Independent and Private Schools
* Call for tour hours / appointment
PENNSYLVANIA
BRYN MAWR
The Baldwin School, 701 Montgomery Ave. 610-525-2700; baldwinschool.org
Oct. 29 – All grades – 6 pm; Feb. 21 – 2
Nov. 4 – PreK-5 – 9 am
Nov. 5 – Gr. 6-12 – 9 am; Nov. 11 – 8 am
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, 272 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. 610-922-2350; jbha.org
Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 10, Feb. 2, Mar. 2, May 4 *
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, 480 Bryn Mawr Ave. 610-527-3915; cdssh.org
Oct. 17 – Grades 9-12 – 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Oct. 28 – PreK-12 – 9 to 11 am
Feb. 6 – PreK-12 – 11 am to 1 pm
St. Aloysius Academy, 401 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. 610-525-1670; staloysiusacademy.org
Oct. 7 – 9:30 am, 6 pm; Oct. 25 – 1 pm
Nov. 17, Mar. 16 – 9:30 am, 6 pm
Feb. 18 – 9:30 am
The Shipley School, 814 Yarrow St. 610-525-4300; shipleyschool.org
Oct. 15 – 8:30 to 11:30 am (adv. reg)
Nov. 14 – 9 to 11:30 am (adv. reg)
CHADDS FORD
Fairville Friends School, 216 Pond View Dr. 610-388-1268; fairvillefriends.org *
CHESTER SPRINGS
Montgomery School, 1141 Rt. 113. 610-827-7222; montgomeryschool.org
Nov. 8 – All grades – noon to 2
Nov. 18 – All grades – 8:30 am
Dec. 3 – Grades 3-8 – 6:30 pm
DEVON
Devon Preparatory School, 363 N. Valley Forge Rd. 610-688-7337; devonprep.com
Oct. 4 – 1 to 4 pm
DREXEL HILL
Holy Child Academy, 475 Shadeland Ave. 610-259-2712; holychildacademy.com
Oct. 14, Dec. 9, Jan. 21 – 8:30 to 10 am
Nov. 11, Feb. 24 – 6 to 7:30 pm
EAGLE
Windsor Christian Academy, 213 Little Conestoga Rd. 610-458-7177; windsorca.org
Feb 16 – 8:30 am; Feb. 21 – 1 pm
EXTON
Collegium Charter School, 535 James Hance Ct. 610-903-1300; collegium-charter.org *
CFS, The School at Church Farm, Rt. 30; 610-363-7500; gocfs.net
Oct. 10, Nov. 7, Mar. 28 – 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Jan. 18, Feb. 15 – 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
GLENMOORE
Upattinas School, 429 Greenridge Rd.
610-458-5138; upattinas.org *
HAVERFORD
Friends School Haverford, 851 Buck La. 610-642-0354; friendshaverford.org
Oct. 16, Oct. 21, Jan. 13, Apr. 4
May 14 – 9 to 11 am
Nov. 7 – 9:30 to 11 am; Mar. 21 – 2 to 4
The Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave. 610-642-3020; haverford.org
Oct. 25 – Info. Session – 1 to 3 pm
KENNETT SQUARE
Upland Country Day School, 420 W. Street Rd.; 610-444-3035; uplandcds.org
Oct. 28, Jan. 27, Apr. 21 – 9 to noon
KIMBERTON
Kimberton Waldorf School, 410 W. Seven Stars Rd. 610-933-3635; kimberton.org
Oct. 24 – 9 to 12 noon; Nov. 1 – 1 to 4 pm
Admissions info mornings:
Oct. 14, Nov. 10, Dec. 9 – 8:30 to 10:30 am
LITITZ
Linden Hall – Girls College Preparatory, 212 E. Main St. 717-626-8512; lindenhall.org
Oct. 11, Jan. 17, Mar. 7 – 1:30 to 4 pm
Student Visit-For-A-Day: Oct. 12, Dec. 4, Jan. 18, Feb. 15, Mar. 8 – 8 am to 3 pm
MALVERN
Malvern Preparatory School, 418 S. Warren Ave. 484-595-1100; malvernprep.com
Open House: Oct. 24-25 – 8:30 to noon
Mornings at Malvern: Oct. 7, Nov. 11, Dec. 2 – 8:30 to 10:30 am
The Phelps School, 583 Sugartown Rd.
610-644-1754; phelpsschool.org *
Villa Maria Academy, 370 Old Lincoln Hwy. 610-644-2551; vmahs.org
Oct. 18 – 12:30 to 3 pm
MEDIA
Media-Providence Friends, 125 W. Third St. 610-565-1960; mpfs.org
Oct. 23, Nov. 20, Jan. 22, Feb. 26 – 9 am
The Walden School, 901 N. Providence Rd. 610-892-8000; thewaldenschool.org
Wednesdays, Nov. 11 to May 26 (except Nov. 23, Dec. 30, Mar. 31) – 9:30 to 11 am
MERION STATION
Merion Mercy Academy, 511 Montgomery Ave. 610-664-6655; merion-mercy.com
Oct. 11 – 1 to 4 pm
Waldron Mercy Academy
513 Montgomery Ave. 610-664-9847; waldronmercy.org.
Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1, Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 13, May 4 – 9 am
Oct. 25 – noon; Jan. 20 – 7 pm
NEWTOWN SQUARE
Delaware County Christian School, 462 Malin Rd. 610-353-6522; dccs.org
Nov. 7, Feb. 10, Apr. 11 – 9 am; Mar. 9 – 7 pm
Episcopal Academy, 1785 Bishop White Dr. 484-424-1444; episcopalacademy.org
Oct. 18 – 12 to 2; May 5 – 7 to 8:30 pm
OXFORD
Bethany Christian School, 1137 Shadyside Rd. 610-998-0877; bethanychristian.org *
PENNSBURG
Perkiomen School, 200 Seminary St. 215-679-9511; perkiomen.org
Nov. 11, Jan. 19 – 9 am
PHOENIXVILLE
Renaissance Academy, 40 Pine Crest St. 610-983-4080; rak12.org
Nov. 18, Jan. 27, Mar. 31 – 9 to 11 am and 6 to 8 pm
POTTSTOWN
Hill School, 717 E. High St. 610-326-1000; thehill.org
Tours/Interviews Sept. through May
Mon, Tues, Thurs – 8:30, 10:30 am, 1 pm
Wed – 8:30, 9:15 am; Fri – 8:30, 12:15, 1:45 pm; Sat – 8:30, 9:15, 10 am
Wyndcroft School, 1395 Wilson St. 610-326-0544; wyndcroft.org
Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3
Mar. 3, Apr. 7 – 9 am
Nov. 15, Feb. 7, Apr. 11 – 1 pm
ROSE VALLEY
School in Rose Valley, 20 School La. 610-566-1088; theschoolinrosevalley.org
Oct. 7, Nov. 5 – 9 to 11 am
Oct. 25, Nov. 21 – 1 to 3 pm
Dec. 2 – 6:30 to 8 pm
ROSEMONT
Agnes Irwin School, Ithan Ave. & Conestoga Rd.; 610-525-8400; agnesirwin.org
Oct. 6 – PreK-4 – 9 to 11 am; Nov. 1 – PreK-12 – 2 to 4 pm
Rosemont School of the Holy Child, 1344 Montgomery Ave. 610-922-1000; rosemontschool.org
First Wed. Oct.-May – 9 am
STRAFFORD
Woodlynde School, 445 Upper Gulph Rd. 610-687-9660; woodlynde.org
Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 9, Apr. 13, May 11 – 8:45 am
VILLANOVA
The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, 560 Sproul Rd. 610-687-0650; ndapa.org
Nov. 11 – 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
WEST CHESTER
Collegium Charter School, 103 N. Everhart St. 610-903-1300; collegium-charter.org *
Discovery School & Camp, 325 N. Five Points Rd. 610-696-5984; schoolandcamp.com
Oct. 7 – 7 pm
Goshen Friends School, 814 N. Chester Rd. 610-696-8869; goshenfriends.org
Oct. 19 – K – 1 pm; Oct. 25 – All grades – 2 to 4 pm
West Chester Friends School, 415 N. High St. 610-696-2962; wcfriends.org
Oct. 14, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, Dec. 9, 10 – 9 am
Nov. 21, Jan. 9 – 10 am
Feb. 2, 3, Mar. 9, 10, Apr. 7 – 9 am
WESTTOWN
The Concept School, 1120 E. Street Rd. 610-399-1135; conceptschool.com
Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2
Westtown School, Westtown Rd. 610-399-0123; westtown.edu
Oct. 12, Feb. 15, Apr. 5 – 9 am
Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9 – 10 am
WYNNEWOOD
Friends’ Central School, Upper School, 1101 City Ave. 610-649-7440; friendscentral.org
Oct. 27 – Gr. 5-12 – 8:45 to 11 am
Friends’ Central School, Lower School, 228 Old Gulph Rd. 610-642-7575; friendscentral.org
Oct. 21, Nov. 12 – PreK-4 – 9 to 11:30 am
DELAWARE
CLAYMONT
Archmere Academy, 3600 Philadelphia Pk. 302-798-6632; archmereacademy.org *
HOCKESSIN
Sanford School, 6900 Lancaster Pk. (Rt. 41). 302-239-5263; sanfordschool.org
Oct. 25 – 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Nov. 18 – 8:30 to 11 am
Wednesdays, Jan. 13-Mar. 3 – 8:30 am
Wilmington Christian School, 825 Loveville Rd. 302-239-2121, ext. 3205; wilmingtonchristian.org
Oct. 6, Oct. 15, Nov. 3 – 9 to 11 am
NEW CASTLE
Layton Preparatory School, 55 Read’s Way; 302-395-1710; laytonprep.org
1st Wed. ea. mo., beg. Oct. 7 – 9 to 11 am
NEWARK
The Independence School, 1300 Paper Mill Rd. 302-239-0330; theindependenceschool.org
Oct. 7, Dec. 15, Jan. 12 – 8:30 to 10:30 am
Nov. 19, Mar. 9 – PreK-K – 8:30 to 10:30
Nov. 8 – 2 to 4 pm; Feb. 3 – 7 to 8:30 pm
Tall Oaks, 181 Stanton-Christiana Rd. 302-738-3337; TallOaksClassicalSchool.org *
WILMINGTON
Albert Einstein Academy, 101 Garden of Eden Rd. 302-478-5026; aeacademy.org
Tours: Every Wed. and by appt.
Padua Academy, 905 N. Broom St. 302-421-3739; paduaacademy.org
Oct. 25 – 1 to 4 pm
St. Andrews, 350 Noxontown Rd. 302-285-4231; standrews-de.org
Oct. 17 – 9 to 11 am
St. Edmond’s Academy, 2120 Veale Rd. 302-475-5370; stedmondsacademy.org
Tours: Every Tue. and by appt. – 9 to 11 am
Salesianum, 1801 N. Broom St. 302-654-2495; salesianum.org
Nov. 8 – 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Tatnall School, 1501 Barley Mill Rd. 302-998-2292; tatnall.org
Oct. 28 – Middle/Upper School – 9 to 12
Nov. 4 – Preschool/Lower – 9 to noon
Jan. 10 – All grades – 1 to 3 pm
Tower Hill School, 2813 W. 17th St. 302-575-0550; towerhill.org *
Ursuline Academy, 1106 Pennsylvania Ave. 302-658-7158; ursuline.org
Nov. 8 – Gr. 7-12 – 1 to 3 pm; Nov. 15 – PreK-6 – 1 to 3 pm
Wilmington Friends School, 101 School Rd. (Rts. 202 & 95). 302-576-2900; wilmingtonfriends.org
Oct. 7 – PreK-5 – 5 to 6:30 pm
Nov 7, May 17 – 9 to 11 am
Jan. 12 – 9 to 11 am and 5 to 6:30 pm
Oct. 23, Jan. 26 – PreK ages 2-3, 9 to 11
Nov. 3 – Gr. 6-12 – 9 to 11 and 5 to 6:30
Apr. 13 – Gr. 6-8 – 9 to 11 and 5 to 6:30
Wilmington Montessori School, 1400 Harvey Rd. 302-475-0555; wilmingtonmontessori.com
Bi-weekly, Wednesdays *
LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
PENNSYLVANIA
BERWYN
Melmark School, 2600 Wayland Rd. 888-Melmark; melmark.org *
Call Dir. of Admissions for a tour.
Timothy School, 973 Old Lancaster Rd. 610-725-0755; timothyschool.com *
GLENMOORE
Camphill Special School, 1784 Fairview Rd. 610-469-9236; beaverrun.org *
MANAYUNK
The Academy in Manayunk, 169 Conarroe St. 215-279-8433; aimpa.org
Oct. 21, Nov. 19, Jan. 14 – 9 to 11 am
Feb 21 – 1 to 3 pm
MEDIA
Benchmark School, 2107 N. Providence Rd. 610-565-3741; benchmarkschool.org
Visitors’ Day: Nov. 6, Jan. 7, Feb. 4
Mar. 4, Apr. 8, May 6, 27 – 9 to 11:30
NEWTOWN SQUARE
Stratford Friends School, 2 Bishop Hollow Rd. 610-355-9580; stratfordfriends.org *
PAOLI
Crossroads School, 1681 N. Valley Rd. 610-296-6765; thecrossroadsschool.net
Oct. 22, Dec. 9, Jan. 7, Feb. 9, Mar. 10
Apr. 8, May 4, June 2 – 9 am
Delaware Valley Friends School, 19 E. Central Ave. 610-640-4150; dvfs.org *
Vanguard School, 1777 N. Valley Rd. 610-296-6700; vanguardschool-pa.org *
ROSEMONT
Hill Top Preparatory School, 737 S. Ithan Ave.; 610-527-3230; hilltopprep.org
Oct. 3, Nov. 9, Dec. 4, Jan. 30, Mar. 1, Apr. 23 – 9:30 to 11:30 am
DELAWARE
WILMINGTON
The Pilot School, 100 Garden of Eden Rd. 302-478-1740; pilotschool.org *
* Call for tour hours / appointment