I’ve recently been looking at schools for my child, focusing on several international schools around Valencia. After a few visits, I’ve realized there’s quite a bit to the school tour process. I was completely clueless at first, but now I’ve picked up some useful tips. I’m writing this to share what I’ve learned with other parents who are also navigating the school selection process, hoping it can save you some trouble.
Pre-Visit Preparations
Never just show up unprepared! The preparation you do beforehand will directly determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your school tour. It basically breaks down into two steps:
1. Email to Schedule and Communicate
Most international schools require you to schedule a visit in advance. You can usually find a dedicated Admissions page on the school’s website with a contact email or an online form. In my experience, sending a direct email is more efficient. You can also take the opportunity to ask a few of your most important questions, such as whether there are available spots in the desired grade level, the approximate range of tuition fees, and the ratio of teaching languages. This can help you filter out unsuitable schools from the start, saving time for everyone.
2. Prepare Your List of Questions
Don’t underestimate this step! When you’re at the school, it’s easy to get caught up in the admissions officer’s enthusiastic presentation and forget what you wanted to ask. It’s essential to bring a prepared list of questions. Besides basic questions about tuition and curriculum, I was more concerned with details like the student-to-teacher ratio, the variety and cost of after-school activities, where graduates typically go for university, and the school’s policy on bullying. Thinking through these points beforehand allows you to be focused and effective during your visit.
The Day of the Tour: Process and What to Look For
On the day of the tour, you’ll typically be guided by someone from the admissions office. The process is usually quite similar across schools. It often starts with a brief introduction to the school’s philosophy and curriculum in their office, followed by a tour of the campus facilities, such as classrooms, the library, science labs, the playground, and the cafeteria. My advice is to observe, listen, and feel the atmosphere. Look into the classrooms in session and see if the students seem engaged and lively or quiet and reserved. Check out the student artwork on the walls to get a sense of the school’s creative vibe. When considering international schools in Spain, it’s a good idea to chat briefly with any teachers or students you encounter during your school tour; their demeanor can be very telling. I made a point of observing how older students interacted with each other, which I found to be quite revealing.
Here is a simple checklist of questions I put together. Feel free to modify and add to it based on your own priorities.
| Category | Suggested Questions |
|---|
| Academics | - What curriculum does the school follow (IB, A-Level, etc.)?<br>- How is teaching time allocated between English/Spanish/Catalan?<br>- What are the main university destinations for graduates? |
| Faculty & Students | - What is the average student-to-teacher ratio?<br>- What are the nationalities of the teachers and what is the teacher turnover rate?<br>- How does the school handle bullying incidents? |
| Extracurriculars & Daily Life | - What extracurricular clubs are available and what are the fees?<br>- Is the school lunch program managed in-house or outsourced? What is the menu like?<br>- What areas do the school bus routes cover? |
Choosing a school is a major decision, and it’s definitely worth spending the extra time on research. I hope my humble experience can be of some help to you. If you have any of your own school selection tips, please feel free to share them in the discussion below!
