One of the best ways to increase enrollment at public schools is by offering tours of your campus to prospective families. But if you’re new to offering tours, you’re likely wondering when is the best time to offer school tours?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the age of your students and the overall structure of your school day.
In general, however, there are a few key times that tend to work well for school tours. Read below to learn when you should be offering school tours to prospective families!
By the way, if you don’t currently offer school tours or have one but want to make it better, check out our school tour guide. It has everything you need to getting started!
1. Offering School Tours During Events
Many schools choose to offer tours during open houses, enrollment information sessions, or other similar events.
Offering tours during school events gives families the opportunity to tour the school while also getting information about other aspects of the school, such as your curriculum, discipline policy, extracurricular activities, and more — all things families factor into their decision to enroll.
Giving school tours during events also lets parents meet with teachers and other faculty in a more personal way. Without the responsibility of a classroom full of students, teachers can devote their full attention to touring families.
2. Offering School Tours During Regular Hours
Another potential time to offer tours is during regular school hours. This allows families to see how your school operates on a daily basis and also get a feel for the atmosphere.
Of course, it’s important to make sure that your tour doesn’t interfere too much with teaching and learning.
To minimize this being a problem, select teachers to visit in advance and then give them a heads up of when you’ll be dropping by and with whom. You’ll probably also quickly find out that some teachers are more welcoming of school tours than others, so be sure to capitalize on their enthusiasm for your school!
Imagine what a lasting impression it leaves when you take a pair of prospective parents and their child by Mrs. Smith’s seventh-grade science class only to have Mrs. Smith and her class warmly greet the family by name.
3. Offering After-Hours Tours of Your School
Lastly, some schools choose to offer after-hours tours.
This can be a good option if you have families who are unable to come during regular school hours. For example, if you know that your school predominantly serves busy parents or those with nine-to-five jobs, an after-hours tour may be the best possible option for most.
After-hours school tours are also a good way to show off your school’s facilities, such as the gym or library, which may not be accessible during the day.
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