Choosing a high school for your child can be a time consuming and scary thing. A lot goes into researching your options and determining what is the best environment for your high schooler-to-be. Today we are excited to welcome Leslie Chasteen to the blog. Leslie is the Recruitment Director at Seton High School and she stopped by to share some of her top tips for parents getting ready to embark of this very journey.
Catholic high school open house season is here. That means touring a lot of classrooms, meeting a lot of students and getting a lot of information. If this is your first time trying to navigate the Open House jungle – don’t worry! Here are the five tips you need to know to get the most out of your Open House experience.
1. Wear comfortable shoes. No matter the school, you will spend most of your time walking around, either on your own or as part of a guided tour. Wear a pair of comfortable shoes and your trek through the schools will be much more pleasant.
2. Bring paper and a pen. The school will likely give you literature about its academic programs, athletics and activities, but bringing a small notebook and a pen will serve you well! If you plan to visit several Open Houses, try to keep everything in one notebook or folder. When you sit down to evaluate the different schools, you will have everything you need at your fingertips!
3. Ask questions. Much like your teens hear in school, don’t be afraid to ask questions – likely someone else is wondering the same thing! Every school understands you are making a big investment in your child’s future and we are happy to answer any question you may have. From scholarship information and college entrance statistics to what a “typical” day is like, each person at the Open House will be happy to answer any question you can imagine.
4. Prepare to be overwhelmed. Open House is the day each school puts its best foot forward. We go all out to make sure you have the information necessary to make this important decision. The entire process can seem overwhelming at times, so take quiet time with your teen when you get home from the event to talk about the pro’s and con’s of each school. In the end, we are confident you will be able to make the right decision for you and your family.
5. Call after the event for more information. It happens to the all of us – you come up with that one question you really need to ask, only it comes to you after you leave the event. Not to worry, high school Recruitment and Admissions Directors are more than happy to answer your questions after the event has ended. Grab a card from one or both people at the Open House and do not be afraid to give them a call. We are here to make your decision about Catholic high schools as simple as possible.
The admissions process can be lengthy, time consuming and even confusing, especially if this is your first child entering high school. Recruitment and Admissions Directors are happy to answer any questions you may have. Good luck and enjoy your Open House experience!
About Leslie Chasteen: Leslie is the Recruitment Director at Seton High School. A graduate from Seton’s Class of 2006, Chasteen returned to her alma mater in February 2011. She is excited to return to Seton – her home away from home on the West Side. Learn more about Leslie and Seton at www.setoncincinnati.org.
