Now that New York City private schools have released admissions decisions for all grade levels and temperatures seem to be consistently above freezing, we embark on what is the unofficial start of the upcoming school admissions cycle: spring tours and open houses for families applying for the 2027-28 school year. 

Many–though not all schools–offer spring tours and open houses including in-person and virtual opportunities which typically happen in April and May. At Evolved, we see these events as one of the most important initial steps in assessing whether a school could be a right fit for your family. 

While tangible factors like educational approach, curriculum, level of rigor, facilities and location help guide us, so do the intangibles which are best evaluated by direct interaction with a school. Spring tours offer an opportunity to start to get a feel for the school. 

In addition, attending a spring tour signals something admissions teams pay attention to: early, genuine interest. When an application arrives months later, that prior visit becomes part of a consistent thread; evidence that your family has been thoughtfully engaged from the start, not making a last-minute decision.

Below please find answers  to some of the most frequently asked questions about spring tours and events:

How do I find out about spring school tours, and how do I register for them?

There’s no single system for spring tour scheduling. Go to the school’s website for specifics. 

• The best way to find out about spring events and how to register is  to go to the admissions pages on the school websites. Sometimes information will be posted front and center on the page and other times you have to check the “admissions events” tab. 
• Right now (mid-March), some schools have spring dates listed/registration open while others let you know when to check back on the site (e.g. Riverdale will post spring tour dates on April 6).  
• Some schools ask you to fill out an inquiry form directly on the school site and others require you to set up an account on a third party admissions portal such as Ravenna (like Horace Mann).  
• Don’t see any information on the website? Send an email to the general admissions email listed. 

Pro Tip: When working with families, I set up a spreadsheet with dates and registration info so we can set up reminders and put holds into clients’ calendars. Busy families find it extremely helpful to set up a new email account exclusively for correspondence with schools (e.g. RobertsFamily2026@gmail.com) so that all information is in one place. You don’t want to miss any important admissions-related emails.

Are spring school tours and events for parents only, or do students also attend?

While events for prospective Kindergarten families are parents-only, most of the middle and high school events are for students as well. In the same way that you are establishing a relationship with the school, so is your child. 

What should I be looking out for or evaluating during a spring event?

Remember you are observing through the lens of your child–their learning profile and style, their personality, their interests. You are also assessing whether your family is aligned with the school’s educational philosophy, community values and whether you feel a sense of belonging. Here are some key things to look out for as you make those determinations:

• What language is the school using to describe the learning environment?
  Are they using key words that speak to a balanced approach (e.g. multimodal, adaptive, research-based, a combination of tradition and innovation) or a progressive approach (e.g. student-centered, teacher facilitation, flexible, culturally responsive, holistic, interdisciplinary, inquiry-based) or to a traditional approach (e.g. standardized curriculum, teacher-led, summative assessments, content mastery)?
  
  
• What is happening in the classrooms?
  • Do students seem engaged? Are they asking questions? Are there multiple hands raised? What is the energy level in the room?
  • Take note of how the classrooms are set up.  Consider what this can tell you about the learning environment, and how the students participate in academics and activities during the school day.
  • If there are multiple teachers in the room, notice if one is providing individualized attention. 
  • What is displayed on the walls? Even if you do not enter a classroom, you can often still see in so take a look!
     
• What is happening in common spaces (hallways, cafeteria, lounges)? These less structured environments provide important insight. 
  • How are students engaging with one another?
  • Are teachers and administrators present and engaging with students in less formal ways?
  • What is the mood?  

What is proper etiquette and follow-up after spring tours?

As these events are your first opportunity to make a positive impression on the admissions staff, below are tips for showing up prepared and engaged:

• Arrive 5 minutes early 
• Wear appropriate attire (smart casual or workwear but does not have to be formal). Students should look neat and avoid sweatpants, etc. Current school uniforms are fine. 
• Phones should be on silent and put away
• Purchase a notebook to use for spring tours and beyond in the admissions process. Jot down your observations, language being used, as well as the names of anyone you engage with from the school.
• Avoid the urge to talk to your spouse or your child about your impressions in real time, particularly anything negative. Wait until after to debrief. 
• Prepare a few thoughtful questions in advance. The best questions tend to come from curiosity and experience and focus on areas not fully covered in the presentation. For example:
  • What is a typical 6th-grade math class like at your school?
  • How are new families/students integrated into the existing school community?
  • What opportunities are there for parents to be involved in the school community?
  • While all students clearly bring something unique to a school, what are some of the overarching qualities that make a student successful in your program?

• Follow up!  Writing a thoughtful thank-you note after a spring tour is essential. It reinforces interest, reflects professionalism, and helps continue the relationship in a warm and respectful way. 
  • If your child is applying to middle school or high school, they should write an email as well. 

The admissions process takes time, attention, and no small amount of energy, but the payoff of finding a school where your child genuinely belongs is worth every spreadsheet and thank-you note. Fit isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for how your child will learn, grow, and thrive in the years ahead.

If you’d like expert support building your school list or navigating the full admissions process, we’d love to connect.