What to Ask during an Open Day: School Visit Questions for Parents in Madrid

Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes when moving to or settling in Madrid. In order to make the right decision, one of the most valuable steps you can take is to visit any schools you are considering. However, to make the most of your visit, it's essential to prepare your questions in advance.

Not everyone at a school can answer the same questions equally well. Admissions can tell you about process and fit. Teachers can tell you what a normal day feels like. The head can tell you about the school's future direction.

This guide covers who you should talk to and what you should ask, so you can get the information you need to make an informed decision.

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Why it matters who you ask

Every school website looks polished. Every prospectus uses the same words: nurturing, ambitious, global, inclusive. Asking the same generic question to whoever you meet often gets you a generic, well-rehearsed answer.

Asking the right person instead changes the quality of what you learn. A teacher will describe daily classroom life in a way admissions rarely can. A principal will speak to strategy and values in a way a classroom teacher isn't positioned to. Matching the question to the person is what turns a visit into real insight.

Questions for the Admissions Team

Admissions staff are your best source for process, logistics and the practical realities of joining the school.

What is the application process, and how far in advance should we apply for the year group we need?
What is the current waiting list situation for our child's year group?
What documents and assessments are required for entry?
What is the full annual cost, including registration, materials, trips and lunch, not just tuition?
What are the transport options, and which areas of Madrid do school buses cover?
What happens if we need to withdraw or relocate again partway through the year?

Questions for teachers you meet on the tour

Teachers give you the clearest picture of what daily life looks like for a child in the classroom.

What does a typical day look like for a child in this year group?
How much homework should we expect, and how is it managed?
How are students supported if English, or the language of instruction, is not their first language?
What does differentiation look like for a child who is ahead, or a child who needs extra support?
How do you handle a child who is struggling to settle in?
What do you enjoy most about teaching here?

Ask for specifics rather than accepting general answers. A teacher who is genuinely engaged will usually talk about real examples without hesitation.

Questions for the Principal

The principal is best placed to speak to the school's direction, values and how it handles the moments that matter most.

What is the school's approach to pastoral care, and how does that structure work day to day, not just in a crisis?
How does the school handle bullying, and what happens after a concern is raised?
What are the school's priorities for the next few years?
What do recent exam results and university destinations look like?
How does the school communicate with parents when something isn't going well?
How many nationalities are represented in the school, and how does that shape daily life?

A principal who answers with specific examples and honest trade-offs, rather than only achievements, is usually more trustworthy than one who avoids anything less than glowing.

Questions for current parents, if you get the chance

Many open days include current parents helping with tours or on hand to chat informally. They are your most candid source of information.

What surprised you most after your child started here?
How did the school support your child settling in?
Is there anything you wish you had known or asked before joining?
How long have you been at the school, and why have you stayed?

Current parents have no script to follow, which is exactly why their answers are often the most useful of the whole visit.

What to watch for beyond the answers

The questions matter, but so does what you observe while asking them.

Do staff know students by name as you walk through the building?
Are you shown a normal day, or only the newest facilities?
Do current parents seem enthusiastic when you speak with them?
Does the school seem comfortable with follow-up questions, or does it redirect to marketing material?

How ICS Madrid approaches Open Days

At ICS Madrid, families are invited to visit the campus in La Moraleja and see classrooms in session, meet teachers, and speak directly with our admissions team. We believe a school visit should give you a real sense of daily life, not a curated version of it, which is why our tours are led by people who actually work with your child, not solely by admissions staff.

With more than 70 nationalities in our community and a pastoral team that works alongside class teachers from day one, we encourage families to ask us the harder questions, about settling in, about support, about what happens when things don't go to plan. Those conversations tell you far more than a prospectus ever could.

Book a school tour or contact our admissions team to arrange your visit.

Frequently asked Questions

How many schools should we visit before deciding?

Most families visit two to four schools. Fewer than that risks missing a better fit; more than that often creates decision fatigue without adding real clarity.

Should children come to the school visit?

Where possible, yes. A child's reaction to the environment, and how staff respond to them, is often more telling than anything a parent notices alone.

Is it worth visiting during a normal school day rather than a set open day?

Yes, if the school offers it. A normal day shows you how the school runs without the polish of an organised event.

What is a reasonable amount of time to spend on a visit?

Aim for at least an hour, enough time to see classrooms in session, meet a member of the pastoral or admissions team, and ask questions without feeling rushed.

What if we only get to speak with one person during the visit?

Prioritise the questions that person is best placed to answer. If it's an admissions officer, focus on process, cost and logistics rather than pastoral care, and ask to follow up with a teacher or the principal separately if bigger questions remain unanswered.