NEW: Let us hear what you thought of the tour(s) you took! Take PEN's short online survey – we'll make sure the school gets your feedback too!
No amount of online research or even "first-hand" reports from other parents can substitute for visiting a school and seeing for yourself what it is like. PEN strongly encourages you to visit your neighborhood school first, and then look at other schools or programs you may be considering applying to through Open Enrollment.
Most PUSD schools offer tours on a regular basis, typically the first or second week of the month from October through May. If you cannot find a tour listed on the PEN Calendar (or cannot make the regularly scheduled tour time), call the school directly and ask to schedule a visit. (It is always a good idea to call the school to confirm a "regularly scheduled" tour date.)
Get the most out of your visit by looking at the school fact sheets and PEN's "How to Evaluate Schools" or "What to Look for in a Middle School" guides ahead of time. Think about what's important to you and your family, and jot down the questions you want to ask when you visit. The school principal typically leads the tour, but PEN parent ambassadors often are available to chat informally with parents before, during or after the tour. If you don't get to talk with a parent when you visit a school, check PEN's parent ambassador directory to get names and contact information for parents with students currently enrolled in the school(s) you are considering.
School Tours Calendar
