Questions to Ask on a School Tour: The Complete Guide for Parents in Vietnam

• Prepare first: list your priorities and check accreditation before you visit.
• Ask for specifics: strong schools answer with examples, numbers, and honest limits.
• Look beyond facilities: curriculum, language balance, and wellbeing shape daily life more than buildings.
• Add international questions: accreditation, pathways, and language support matter in Vietnam.
• Trust your observations: how children and staff behave often says more than any answer.

A school website shows a school at its best. A tour lets you see its everyday reality. Good school tour questions turn a sales presentation into an honest conversation.

Many parents focus on facilities, such as pools, libraries, or new technology. These matter, but daily learning and care matter more. The questions below help you look past first impressions.

If you are still comparing options, our guide on how to choose an international school covers the bigger picture. This article focuses on the visit itself.

List Your Family’s Priorities

Write down three to five things that matter most for your child. Examples include language goals, class size, or a gentle settling-in period. Use this list to compare every school fairly.

Check Accreditation and Curriculum in Advance

Read the school website and note which curriculum it follows. Check accreditations such as AEFE, CIS, or Cambridge before you arrive. This frees your tour time for deeper questions.

Decide Whether to Bring Your Child

Many children notice things adults miss, such as noise levels or how friendly classmates seem. For toddlers, a short second visit may work better than one long tour. Watch how staff greet your child at the door.

Learning is the heart of school life. Ask how the curriculum works in practice, not only on paper.

Curriculum and Learning Approach

• Which curriculum do you follow, and why did you choose it?
• What does a typical lesson look like in my child’s year group?
• How do you balance structured lessons with play-based learning?
• How do you challenge confident learners?
• How do you support children who need more time?

Assessment and Progress

• How do you measure progress beyond tests?
• How often will I receive updates on my child’s learning?
• Can you share an example of a recent report or portfolio?

What a Strong Answer Sounds Like

Strong answers are specific and calm. Staff describe real examples and admit where they are still improving. Vague, rehearsed replies are a signal to ask a follow-up question.

In Ho Chi Minh City, many families choose a bilingual school for long-term fluency. Language questions deserve extra time on your tour.

Language Balance

• How much time does each language receive every week?
• Are lessons delivered by native-speaking educators?
• Is the second language used across subjects, or only in language classes?
• Is Vietnamese language and culture part of the week?

Support for New Language Learners

• What support exists for children who arrive without one of the languages?
• Is language support included in the fees?
• How do you help children who feel lost in the first weeks?

Qualifications and Staff Retention

Educators shape your child’s daily experience more than any building. Ask where staff trained and how they keep developing. Low turnover often points to a healthy school culture.

• Are class teachers qualified in early childhood or primary education?
• What professional development do staff receive each year?
• How long do educators typically stay at the school?

Class Size and Adult Ratios

Ask for real numbers in your child’s year group, not school-wide averages.

• How many children are in my child’s class?
• How many adults are in the classroom?
• How are assistants involved during the day?

Wellbeing and Emotional Support

Many children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and happy. Ask how the school nurtures children’s wellbeing every day.

• How do you help children understand and express their feelings?
• How do you encourage kindness, respect, and empathy between classmates?
• How do teachers guide children toward positive choices?
• How do you build calm moments into the school day?

A Typical School Day

The rhythm of a day reveals a school’s real priorities.

• What does the day look like from arrival to pick-up?
• How much time do children spend outdoors and moving?
• What are lunch, snacks, and rest time like?
• Which extracurricular activities for kids run after class?

Settling In and Friendships

• How do you welcome children who join mid-year?
• Do new pupils get a buddy or a gradual start?
• How do you help children build friendships and a sense of belonging?
• How do you support families who have just relocated?

Touring a preschool differs from touring a primary school. For children under six, care and routine matter as much as academics. If you are unsure about timing, read our guide on the best age to start nursery.

Care and Routines for Young Children

• How do you handle naps, toileting, and meals?
• What is your settling-in process for the first day of school?
• How do you update parents during the day?
• How are hygiene and safety managed in classrooms and play areas?

Learning Through Play

Look closely at the classroom layout during your visit. Spacious rooms with clear play areas usually signal a play-centered approach. Ask how educators observe and record each child’s development.

International schools raise extra questions that general guides often skip. These help you judge quality, pathways, and value.

Accreditation and Future Pathways

• Which accreditations does the school hold, and when was the last review?
• Can my child move easily to similar schools abroad?
• Where do children go after the final year?

For French-curriculum families, AEFE accreditation is a key quality marker. It lets children continue in AEFE schools worldwide, which helps internationally mobile families. Our article on the French primary school system explains each stage.

Fees and Hidden Costs

• What do tuition fees include?
• Which extra costs should we plan for, such as uniforms, trips, or buses?
• Are sibling discounts or scholarships available?
• What are the deposit and refund policies?

Parent Partnership and Communication

• How often do parents meet class teachers?
• Which apps or channels does the school use for updates?
• How can parents get involved in school life?

Answers tell only part of the story. Watch the classrooms, hallways, and playground closely.

Green Flags

• Children look engaged, calm, and curious.
• Staff speak warmly and know children by name.
• Displays show recent, child-made work.
• Leaders answer tough questions openly.

Red Flags

• Answers stay vague, even after follow-up questions.
• You only see staged areas, never real lessons.
• Staff seem rushed or distracted around children.
• Fee details are unclear or keep changing.

At La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City, we believe every family deserves clear, honest answers before choosing a school. That is why our team welcomes your questions at every stage of your visit.

See Real Learning in Action

During a visit, you can see everyday classrooms, not just a showcase. Our Early Years classrooms are spacious, with clear areas for play and discovery. Seeing a real school day can help you picture your child’s daily routine.

Clear Answers About Our Bilingual Model

We follow the French national curriculum, taught in equal parts French and English. Two native-speaking educators share each class, so children hear both languages every day.

Support From the First Day

Children join us from many language backgrounds. FLE and ESL support help newcomers build confidence in French or English at their own pace. As part of the AEFE network, we also help families plan smooth moves between schools worldwide.

We always encourage parents to visit two to four schools. Comparing real answers side by side makes the right choice much clearer.

The right questions to ask on a school tour protect one of your biggest family decisions. Prepare your priorities, ask for specifics, and trust what you observe. A good school will welcome every question.

Book Your Visit Today

Want to see French-English bilingual learning in action? Contact La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City to book a visit and bring your toughest questions. Our team will show you real classrooms for children aged 1 to 11.

• Phone: 028 3519 1521
• Email: contact@lpehochiminh.com
• Address: 172 – 180 Nguyen Van Huong, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh city

What are the most important questions to ask on a school tour?

Focus on curriculum, language balance, class size, wellbeing, accreditation, and fees. Ask for real examples rather than general promises. These answers show how the school supports each child daily.

How long should a school tour take?

Most tours last between 45 and 90 minutes. Allow extra time to observe a lesson and ask follow-up questions. A rushed tour rarely shows a school’s true character.

Should I bring my child on a school tour?

Yes, whenever possible. Many children sense the atmosphere in ways adults miss. Ask your child afterward what they liked and what felt uncomfortable.

How many schools should I visit before deciding?

Visiting two to four schools usually gives useful comparison without overwhelm. Use the same question list at each school. This keeps your comparison fair and focused.

What should I ask a bilingual or French international school?

Ask how many hours each language receives and who delivers lessons. Check AEFE accreditation and language support for newcomers. Ask how your child can continue if your family relocates.