What to Look for in a Prospective High School

Look for Evidence of Student Engagement

You do not have to be a trained educator to identify an engaging learning experience from a passive, anemic one. Just consider these “To Look Fors” next time you have an opportunity to visit a school. If you are really serious about zeroing in on a particular school or “short list” of schools for your child, then take some time to observe a few of the classes during the school day (with permission from the school administration, of course), or take advantage of a morning coffee followed by a tour of the school for a short “walk-through” observation-while the students are in class. While Open Houses present wonderful opportunities to gain an initial sense of the school environment, they are, by design, carefully orchestrated and somewhat staged to meet the needs of the larger audience; you are not going to get an authentic sense of how students in that school navigate their day unless you pay an individual visit. (Yes, your child will no doubt be afforded the opportunity to experience the vibe of the school on a personalized day-long visit organized by the Admissions Office, but you, as the parent, and financer of this important enterprise, need to have your part of the equation satisfied.)

Observe the Classroom “Real Estate”.

As you walk or peek in-How does the interaction between the students and the teacher look to you? Are the desks in rows facing front, with the teacher talking at them, asking the questions, and taking in, rather than giving the feedback? Is there a lectern-the seat of power? (If this is what you are seeing, then unfortunately these behaviors are all hallmarks of a passive learning environment.) OR do students have what I call “Prime Real Estate”? Are desks clustered in groups (to encourage collaborative set-ups) or in a discussion-friendly U format (to facilitate a seminar exchange)? Is the teacher facilitating a discussion, circulating and moderating, or sitting in the “back”, while students engage to share input or solve a problem? Are the students the ones receiving some sort of actionable, constructive feedback (verbal, thumbs-up, etc.) from the teacher as the lesson progresses?

Listen to the language of the teachers.

Is it teacher-centered or student-centered? Are you hearing in your conversations…“I have my students do xx.” ,“I give my students xx. “, “In my classroom, they do xxx.” ,“I do a unit on xx.” OR -are you hearing student- centered language? “Our students are working to do xx.” “Students form groups to tackle xx problem and present their findings.” “Students choose topic xx from a list of topics.”

Watch the way students are asked to demonstrate understanding.

Is the teacher calling on only those students raising their hands? Is that the only way students get to voice their understanding? OR do you see students participating and engaging in that lesson by putting their heads together and then offering a solution or a point to consider? Do you notice any opportunities for the students to reflect on what they have learned? For example, are they journaling, composing their own questions in response to what they have learned, or sharing instances where they might apply what they have just learned?

Consider how students interact with technology.

Not every single lesson has to have technology as a tool, but when it is applied, how are the students using it? Are they merely using it to taking notes? OR are they using it to gain further understanding and construct their knowledge? For example, are they researching a topic, creating a video, annotating a digital text, or collaborating on a presentation? Do you get a sense that they understand digital citizenship, that there are appropriate ways to use technology?

Ask yourself this question:

At the end of the visit, ask yourself, “Is this an environment where my child would feel comfortable enough to take positive risks to learn and grow, to venture out of his or her comfort zone, to take a new class, engage in a new activity, or connect with a new teacher?”