What Questions to Ask When Visiting a Prospective School?

The school tour offers more than the opportunity to see new buildings and beautiful hallways. The actual school environment shows you what schools do on a regular basis beyond what their marketing materials show. Students along with their parents should engage in active learning by requesting specific information which helps them understand their visit better. The correct questions help you discover what the school values most and its cultural identity and how well it matches your child's needs.

The below checklist contains important questions which you can use to direct your discussion with school administrators and teachers and current students. The importance of particular questions differs across countries because Finland's educational system requires students to complete less homework while allowing them to play more whereas South Korea and Singapore emphasize academic achievement through standardized testing.

1. Academic Philosophy & Rigor

• What is the school’s teaching philosophy? (e.g., traditional, project-based, Montessori, inquiry-led)

In countries like Germany or Switzerland, you may encounter strong vocational or dual-education tracks, whereas Japan often emphasizes group harmony and rigorous math-science foundations.

• How do you support students who are excelling and those who are struggling? (Look for terms like differentiation, enrichment, and intervention)

• What does homework look like in an average week for my child’s grade level? (Ask for estimated time per night and type of assignments)

• How do you measure student progress beyond standardized tests? (Portfolios, presentations, rubrics)

2. School Culture & Student Well-Being

• How do you define and teach values like respect, empathy, and responsibility?

• What is the school’s approach to bullying or social conflict? (Ask for a specific protocol, not just “we don’t tolerate it”)

• How do you support student mental health? (Counselor availability, check-ins, anti-anxiety programs)

• How are students grouped? (Ability-based, mixed-age, or random? How do you handle competition vs. collaboration?)

3. Daily Life & Logistics

The typical daily schedule of a person can be understood as their common activities for each day. French school days maintain their reputation for long hours because they provide students with extended breaks to have their lunch and recess periods. The Australian school system operates on a January-to-December schedule while New Zealand schools combine outdoor learning with their academic programs.

• What are the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios?

The educational system provides specific time periods for students to participate in art activities and physical education classes and practical learning experiences.

The school establishes rules which govern student use of technology and their screen viewing time.

4. Safety & Facilities

• What are the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios?

• The educational system provides specific time periods for students to participate in art activities and physical education classes and practical learning experiences.

• The school establishes rules which govern student use of technology and their screen viewing time.

5. For Students to Ask (Directly to current students or during student-led tours)

• “What do you actually like most about this school?”

• “What happens if you don’t know the answer in class?” (Reveals safety to be wrong)

• “Is it easy to find a friend at lunch or recess?” (Reveals social climate)

• “What would you change about this school if you could?”

6. Parent Involvement & Communication

The school uses its communication system to share regular updates about daily operations and urgent situations with the public.

The school provides parents with two ways to participate in school activities through volunteer work and feedback programs. The parent-teacher association in India and Mexico works as a powerful organization which handles school activities. The communication system in China and Hong Kong uses formal methods which focus on exam results.

Final Pro Tip for the Tour

The body language of the speakers shows what they say. Do teachers appear to be stressed or do they appear to be involved with their work? Do students establish eye contact while they smile? Does the principal address students by their personal names? The most honest answers often come from what you see and hear in the hallways between classes.

You should bring this checklist with you because a school which permits students to ask questions proves its dedication to both partnership and transparent operations. These questions will assist you in finding the best educational environment for your child at any public school in Brazil or international school in Thailand or private academy in Italy that you visit.