When it comes to researching boarding schools, nothing substitutes for a visit. One school might have a great reputation, and your friends might give the highest praise to a school their children attend. Your own child might even insist that a particular school is the coolest one around, but until you set foot on the campus, neither you nor your child can really know if a school matches your collective requirements. 

The decision is in the details
Even if your mind is made up, visit more than one school. Irvin Katz, an educational consultant who has been in education for 50 years, knows about human nature. Sometimes he'll get calls from parents who have just been on their first visit. "Cancel our other appointments," they tell him. "We're positive about this one." He tries to convince them to visit other schools, knowing that it's unwise to see only one and not have a basis for comparison. They often thank him later for his insistence. 

"This is an investment that's not only a monetary one but also an investment in the school's influence on your child's values," he stresses. The best decision is an informed one, so the more research you do and the greater diversity of schools you visit, the more you have to work with. 

Ask the small questions
A visit allows you to ask the small questions and assess the nuances that can make the difference between your child doing well or poorly. "Face-to-face, real-time exchange cannot be replicated," says Heather Hoerle, Director of Member Services at the National Association of Independent Schools in Washington, D.C. With careful research prior to the visit, you will have gotten some of your bigger questions out of the way. 

For instance, if you've researched a school's academic strong points, you'll have time to observe the way teachers and students greet each other in the halls. You'll be able to notice if kids feel safe leaving their book bags unguarded, which indicates a strong sense of ethics. The school might say it's supportive of its students, but you can find out more about just much additional help the school will offer by asking directly. 

Give your child time to think
Laying the groundwork for a school visit not only involves clarifying what you and your child need — it also includes preparing your child to get the most out of the trip. Talk to your child about going to boarding school way ahead of the visit, so that they have time to consider it. An open dialogue will ensure that you are looking for the same things. 

Karen Suplee Hallowell, Director of Admission at George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, stresses the importance of this point. "I can tell within three minutes if a student has just been told where he or she is going," she says. This is less than ideal. Your visit could be completely sabotaged if you haven’t come to a prior understanding and your child drags their heels.

The optimum time to visit
The best time to visit a campus is in the fall, leaving room for parents, children, and the school to reach a decision. To this point, the decision about private school should not be a last-minute one. Schools will accept students in August for the school year that starts in September, but with additional time, a more careful decision can be reached. 

Obviously, students will look happy in brochures, but without walking the grounds and seeing them in action, you can't sense a school's personality. The brochure might boast tennis courts, which pleases your sports-minded child, but what condition are they in? Only by visiting can you get that gut feeling about whether your child’s academic and personal needs will truly be met and allowed to flourish.