20 Questions Every Parent Must Ask During a School Visit

School open days are designed to impress. Polished presentations, enthusiastic staff, gleaming facilities — all carefully curated. Your job as a parent is to look past the theatre and find the school behind it. These questions will help.

We recommend asking 4–5 questions per category. Take notes. Compare answers across schools. Pay close attention to how questions are answered — a confident, transparent school will not flinch.

Academic and Curriculum Questions

1. 1What is the average class size, and how does that change as children move to higher grades?
2. 2How much homework can we expect at each grade level — on a typical school night?
3. 3Does the school provide academic support for children who are struggling, and how does it work?
4. 4How often do teachers communicate progress to parents beyond the annual report card?
5. 5What is your policy on screen time and digital devices in classrooms?

Fee and Financial Questions

1. 1Can you share the complete fee structure — including all one-time, annual, and miscellaneous charges?
2. 2How much have fees increased on average each year over the last five years?
3. 3What is the process for the security deposit refund when my child leaves the school?
4. 4Are there any charges that parents frequently face mid-year that are not in the initial fee schedule?

Safety and Infrastructure Questions

1. 1What is your staff verification and background check process for all adults who interact with children?
2. 2How do you handle a medical emergency on school grounds? Is there a nurse on campus?
3. 3What is the supervision arrangement for the school bus — is there a dedicated attendant?
4. 4How are bullying or physical conflict situations handled, and can you share an example?
5. 5Are all areas of the school — including bathrooms and less-visited areas — covered by CCTV?

Teacher and Staff Questions

1. 1What is the average tenure of your teaching staff — how many teachers have been here for more than 5 years?
2. 2What professional development opportunities do teachers receive each year?
3. 3How accessible is the class teacher if parents have concerns about their child?

Parent Community and Culture Questions

1. 1Is there an active parent-teacher association and how does it influence school decisions?
2. 2How do you handle a serious complaint from a parent about a staff member?
3. 3Can I speak to 2–3 current parents before making my admission decision?