Finding the right fit: How to make the most of high school open houses

Morgan Anderson has been attending St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park for 10 years, and now she is looking for a Catholic high school that will allow her more amazing opportunities and help her to grow into an adult. 

Morgan and her family plan to attend as many open houses as possible to get a feel for the various schools. The family hopes to get a pulse of the campus and walk away with a good understanding of what it would be like to walk on that campus every day.

It’s that time of the year when thousands of eighth graders around the Archdiocese of Baltimore will visit Catholic schools and determine which one is the best fit.

“The process of selecting a high school is both exciting and overwhelming,” said Stephanie Anderson, Morgan’s mother. “I believe there are so many wonderful schools in the area, so although I don’t think there is a chance she would end up in a bad one, there is a lot of pressure to find the best fit.”

Anderson added that everyone wants to help their children make the best decision and find the best home for their next four years. 

“In the spring we were able to do some Zoom open houses,” she said, “so I am grateful this year that we will be able to visit schools in person.”

Morgan also hoped to attend shadow days to get an even better feel for the schools.

Maureen Cannon, director of enrollment management at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, believes open houses are a great way to see the school “in action” and get a sense of its character, mission and spirit.

“Open house is also a wonderful way to get to know the school community and engage with students, teachers and school leadership,” Cannon said. “Families will tour the school. At Notre Dame Preparatory School, student ambassadors lead our tours.”

She suggests, “Talk to your tour guides, and ask them what they like about attending the school and why they chose it. What’s a typical day like? What are their favorite classes? In which clubs or other school activities do they participate? What are the teachers like?”

Visitors get a chance to talk with teachers about certain subjects. Families can also get a sense if these instructors moderate a specific club, have a background in studying abroad or if they coach a sports team.

Although financial aid is usually a separate process from applications, open houses provide parents with the opportunity to inquire about how it works. Parents can ask about how much aid is typically given and what percentage of students receive aid.

Cannon noted that school websites are the first place to look for information on financial aid.

“Make sure to note what type of monies are available – from merit- and talent- to need-based scholarships and grants,” she said. “Most importantly, note the deadline for submitting a financial aid application for need-based monies. Most schools adhere to that strict deadline date for any aid consideration.”

Lawrence S. Callahan, president of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Essex, notes that schools are full of resources and the best way to make use of an open house is to tap into those internal resources.

Open houses also serve as a great community builder in the sense that outside families get to experience the school, he said, while current families, students, and faculty and staff get to be involved and help showcase the school.

“For us, they most likely have been to campus before for a shadow day or a tour, but this is a way when all faculty and staff are on campus and available so they are able to speak to anyone in our school,” Callahan said.

Mount Carmel offers individualized tours, shadow days, open houses and other eighth-grade events for current students to go over how their students will benefit. Specific tables at the open houses address topics such as learning disabilities and extracurricular activities.

Ed Maynard, director of admissions at The John Carroll School and an alumnus of the Bel Air school, recommends starting by exploring the websites of schools that may be of interest before attending the open house. Typically, information regarding academic programs, athletics, campus ministry and much more is already on a school’s website. Admissions offices at Catholic schools are also a great starting point, and they can directly connect people with departments, moderators and coaches for any specific questions.

“Open houses are usually your best way to get a great deal of information about a school in a short amount of time,” Maynard said. “Open houses provide an overview of all that a school has to offer, and also allow for you to speak directly with members of the school community in specific areas that may be of interest to you.”

Sonia Leahy, an eighth-grade student at St. Louis School, Clarksville, is expecting to learn more about the school, the clubs, athletics and their Catholic values as she tours various Catholic high schools. 

“I am very excited for the process; however, at times I do get nervous to see what lies ahead,” Leahy said.

Arkin Kukadi, also an eighth-grade student at St. Louis,  will attend several open houses and is expecting to get an understanding of each school, the responsibilities of being a potential student, and the pros and cons of each institution.

“I am very excited about the process because this is a big change in my life,” Kukadi said. “It is also going to be a very exciting journey for me.”

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