Mon, September 14, 2026

How to Prepare for a School Fair: A Guide for Parents and Students

If you have never attended a school fair, looking at a long list of schools can feel overwhelming. Where should you begin? Which schools should you visit? What questions should you ask? Should your child attend with you?

To prepare for a school fair, review the participating schools in advance, choose a varied group to explore, and plan to take notes. You do not need a list of perfect questions. The goal is to discover your options, meet school representatives, and identify programs you would like to research further.

Schools are eager to introduce themselves, and they do not expect families to arrive with a finalized school list. Once you have explored a range of programs, you will be better prepared to decide which schools might be a good fit for your child and family.

Drawing on the experience of the Parents League school advisory team, here is what families can expect at a virtual or in-person school fair.

How Should I Prepare for a Virtual School Fair?

A virtual school fair gives you the opportunity to learn about many schools without traveling to individual campuses. Because you may not be able to attend every session, it helps to plan ahead.

Choose Your Schools in Advance

Review the list of participating schools and select approximately five sessions to attend. Add the Zoom links and session times to your calendar so you can move easily from one presentation to the next.

If you are at the beginning of your school search, choose a variety of schools. You might explore different sizes, locations, educational approaches, or options such as coeducational and single-sex schools.

Unless your child has a particular interest in a specialized academic, athletic, or arts program, try to keep an open mind. A school you had not previously considered may turn out to be a strong fit.

Take Notes After Each Session

After every presentation, take a minute to record a few impressions. Note something that interested you, a question you would like to explore, or a feature that distinguishes the school.

Consider writing down:

What stood out about the school’s philosophy or community?
Could you picture your child thriving there?
What would you like to learn more about?
Did the school offer a program that matched your child’s interests or needs?
Would you like to attend a tour, open house, or information session?

These notes will be helpful when you begin narrowing your options.

How Should I Prepare for an In-Person School Fair?

An in-person school fair allows you to speak directly with admissions representatives and explore many school options in one place. You do not need an elaborate strategy or a list of impressive questions. Arrive ready to listen, learn, and explore.

Introduce Yourself and Start a Conversation

Schools are not looking for a specific question from every parent. Their representatives simply want to meet your family and introduce you to their programs.

Listen carefully to the representatives. You may discover something important that you would not have thought to ask.

Collect Information for Later

Pick up brochures and other printed materials from schools that interest you. Ask for a representative’s business card or contact information if you would like to follow up.

Some schools may invite you to complete an inquiry form so they can send information about upcoming tours, open houses, admissions deadlines, and other events.

Be Open to Unexpected Possibilities

Visit the schools already on your list, but leave time to speak with unfamiliar schools as well. One of the greatest benefits of a school fair is discovering programs you might not otherwise encounter.

You may also learn from questions asked by other parents, so take time to listen as you move through the fair.

Be Mindful of Other Families

School fairs can be busy, and many families may be waiting to speak with the same representatives. Keep introductory conversations relatively brief when a table is crowded. You can always follow up with the school or attend a future admissions event for a longer conversation.

Should Tweens and Teens Attend a School Fair?

If your tween or teen is able to attend, bringing them can be a valuable part of the school search, particularly when exploring middle schools, high schools, and boarding schools.

Admissions representatives enjoy speaking with prospective students and are experienced in helping tweens and teens feel comfortable. Encourage your child to listen, ask questions, and connect directly with school representatives, but do not pressure them to perform or deliver rehearsed answers. Let them be themselves.

Attending together also gives you an opportunity to compare impressions afterward. Your child may notice aspects of a school that are different from the things that stand out to you.

How Can Students Prepare for a School Fair?

Students do not need to arrive with a formal list of questions, but it can help to think about what matters to them in a school experience. The goal is to notice what captures their interest and begin imagining themselves in different school environments.

What Should We Do After the School Fair?

Soon after the fair, review your notes and materials while the conversations are still fresh. Talk with your child about which schools stood out and why.

Your next steps might include:

Visit each school’s website.
Sign up for an open house, tour, or virtual information session.
Review the school’s mission, programs, and admissions requirements.
Follow up with representatives if you have additional questions.
Begin developing a balanced list of schools to explore further.

You do not need to make final decisions at the fair. The purpose is to become familiar with your options and identify the schools you would like to get to know better.

Keep an Open Mind

The best way to approach a school fair is with curiosity. You may arrive with a few schools in mind and leave excited about possibilities you had never considered.

Whether you are exploring NYC independent and private schools or boarding schools across the country, a Parents League School Fair can help you understand the educational landscape, make meaningful connections, and take the next step in your family’s school search with greater confidence.