Our 2026 School Visitation Guide offers an overview of open house dates and how to handle preschool, grade school, and college visits!
Researching and touring schools or universities may be transformative experiences for both parents and students. Meeting the administrations of possible schools, getting firsthand knowledge, and using on-site optics are all crucial stages in selecting the best school, one of the most significant decisions in life. In addition to a thorough list of regional schools, universities, and learning centers that offer open houses, campus tours, online seminars, and programs for students of all ages, this directory offers advice on how to conduct a successful school search.
If you’re considering school visitations this fall, or in the near future, here are several tips and considerations when planning.
1. Map out all of the schools and make a list
Make a list of all the possible schools, conduct some research on them, and then select a few before the application process starts. When your selection has been narrowed down to the best candidates, it’s time to begin organizing your campus visits. Plan ahead and map out each school you are seriously considering because you should ideally visit them all.
2. Order is important
Make an effort to visit your top school or schools last. You’ll start to have a clearer understanding of your preferences as you visit additional campuses. By the end of the process, you will have a better idea of what to look for and what questions to ask about the campus you wish to tour.
3. Timing matters
Plan your visit while school is, hopefully, in session. Observing student life will give you an authentic view of the school and will (hopefully) help you envision yourself as a student there.
4. Keep an open mind
Your priorities during your initial school search may completely shift once you start touring, so remain open minded. Walk onto every campus with a positive attitude and save your judgments until the end of the tour
5. Make extra time to explore on your own
Make sure you take extra time to explore areas of campus that were not covered in your trip because the official campus tour will showcase the school’s best characteristics. This is the ideal time to sit in a class or lecture, observe students, or visit any department that interests you.
6. Talk to current students and staff
Your tour guide may be a biased source because it is their responsibility to present the best possible image of their school. Your guide’s knowledge is important, but you might wish to speak with existing students to get a more honest impression. If the tour didn’t cover anything, ask the students: What is everyday life like for students? Is meeting people and forming friendships easy? On campus, is there a lot of diversity? Are you having trouble adjusting?
7. Document every visit
If you plan to visit several schools, make sure to document each visit. Take pictures, jot down some notes, or record a voice memo to highlight your favorite—or least favorite—aspects of each school. Going on several tours within a short period of time can be chaotic, so this will help you separate and compare each visit.
8. Shadow Days
Shadow days provide prospective students with a firsthand experience of a school’s daily life—academics, social dynamics, and campus culture—helping them make informed decisions, ease transition anxiety, and determine if the environment is the right fit for their personal and educational goals.
If you’re considering childcare options for your youngest ones, please see the article “Your Little One’s First Year of Childcare” adjacent to this guide for tips and best practices when prospecting potential childcare centers and professionals.
Regional educational institutions, learning centers, and schools that advertise in the What’s Up? Media family of publications are listed below. For program availability, visitation instructions, and open house dates, please think about giving them a call directly. The listing of schools is alphabetical.
Annapolis Area Christian School – Annapolis Area Christian School
Lower School Annapolis Campus – 710 Ridgely Avenue, Annapolis; 410-846-3504; aacsonline.org; October 2 and November 13, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lower School Severn Campus - 61 Gambrills Road, Severn; October 7 and November 20, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Middle School - 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn; October 15 and November 19, 9:00 a.m. Upper School - 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn; October 19 and November 16, 9:00 a.m. K-12 Evening Information Nights - 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn; –Inside the Kerr Center; September 17, and April 22, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Parkway, Arnold; 410-777-2222; aacc.edu; October. 7, 2026, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A virtual tour is available on the school website.
Archbishop Spalding High School
8080 New Cut Road, Severn; 410-969-9105; archbishopspalding.org; October 25, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sign-ups are available online.
Benedictine School
14299 Benedictine Lane, Ridgely; 410-634-2112; benschool.org; Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Chesapeake College/Eastern Shore Higher Education Center
1000 College Circle, Wye Mills; 410-822-5400; chesapeake.edu; Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
DeMatha Catholic High School
4313 Madison St, Hyattsville; 240-764-2200; dematha.org; November 1, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity: An Episcopal School
Primary – 13106 Annapolis Road, Bowie; 301-262-5355; The Daisy Lane School & High School Prep – 11902 Daisy Lane, Glenn Dale; 301-464-3215; htrinity.org; October 15, November 11, February 4, April 8, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Indian Creek School
1130 Anne Chambers Way, Crownsville; 410-923-3660; indiancreekschool.org; Lower School – November 12, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Middle School – November 19, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Upper School – November 5, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Kent School
6788 Wilkins Lane, Chestertown; 410-778-4100; kentschool.org; Kent School Discovery Day - November 15, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Key School
534 Hillsmere Drive; 410-263-9231; keyschool.org; Middle School Sports Clinics – September 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Lower School Information Session – October 8, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Middle School Information Session – October 20, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Upper School Information Session – October 29, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; First School Open House – November 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Contact school directly for daily tours.
Lighthouse Christian Academy
931 Love Point Rd, Stevensville; 410-643-3034; lcacademy.org; October 24, 10 a.m; November 18, 9 a.m.; January 9, 10 a.m.; February 17, 9 a.m.
Monsignor Slade Catholic School
120 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie; 410-766-7130; msladeschool.com; Pre-K3 to Grade 8; November 11, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. January 30, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Montessori International Children’s House
1641 N. Winchester Road, Annapolis; 410-757-7789; montessoriinternational.org; Tours are held on Wednesday mornings by appointment only.
Polaris Village Academy
31 Jowite Street, Easton; 410-714-0275; polarisvillageacademy.org; Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Radcliffe Creek School
201 Talbot Boulevard, Chestertown; 410-778-8150; radcliffecreekschool.org; Contact school to schedule an in-person tour. A virtual tour is available on the school website.
Right Start Academy
331 Gambrills Road, Ste. 1, Gambrills; 890 Airport Park Road, Ste. 119, Glen Burnie; 410-923-7575 (main line for both locations); rightstartacademy.org; Tours are typically held Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Rockbridge Academy
680 Evergreen Road, Crownsville; 410-923-1171; rockbridge.org; All Grades – October 19, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten – October 23, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Preview Night (open to all prospective families) – November 6, 7 p.m.; The Paideia School (K-6th Grade Hybrid Program) – November 2 and February 19, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
St. Andrews Day School
4 B Wallace Manor Road, Edgewater; 410-266-0952; school.standrewsum.org; Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
St. Anne’s School of Annapolis
3112 Arundel on the Bay Road, Annapolis; 410-263-8650; stannesschool.org; Messtival Preschool-aged children (up to age 5) – September 26, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m; Lower School and Middle School Open House November 11, 9 a.m.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
669 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park; 410-647-2283; stjohnspschool.org; - Fall Open House – September 29, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A virtual tour is available on the school website.
St. Margaret’s Day School
1605 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis; 410-757-2333; stmargaretsdayschool.org; October 16 and January 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
St. Martin’s in the Field Episcopal School
375 A Benfield Road, Severna Park; 410-647-7055; stmartinsmd.org; October 13, January 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration for Open Houses and/or private school tours (available most school days) through their website.
St. Martin’s Lutheran School
1120 Spa Road, Annapolis; 410-263-4723; stmartinsonline.org; Contact School for personalized campus tours throughout the year by appointment, Monday through Thursday, for families interested in learning more about our PreK–8 programs; Fall Open House – September 21, 9–11 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.
St. Mary’s Annapolis
109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis; 410-263-2869; stmarysannapolis.org; Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 8) – October 23, 9 a.m. High School – October 24, 9 a.m. Athletic Open House (Pascal Field) – October 27, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sts. Peter and Paul High School and Elementary School
High School – 1212 S. Washington Street, Easton; 410-822-2275; hs.ssppeaston.org; October 25, 12 p.m. Elementary School – 900 High Street, Easton – Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
St. Vincent Pallotti High School
113 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel; 301-725-3288; pallottihs.org; Lady Panther Pink Out Admissions Event – October 21, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open House – November 8, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Arts, Sciences & Learning Center Open House – December 1, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Spring Open House – April 22, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
School of the Incarnation
2601 Symphony Ln, Gambrills; 410-519-2285; schooloftheincarnation.org; November 7, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Severn School
Lower School – Chesapeake Campus: 1185 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Arnold; 410-862-3684; severnschool.com; October 9, 9 a.m. Middle and Upper School – Teel Campus: 201 Water Street, Severna Park; October 15, 7 p.m.
The Country School
716 Goldsborough Street, Easton; 410-822-1935; countryschool.org; Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
The Gunston School
911 Gunston Road, Centreville; 410-758-0620; gunston.org; October 18 and November 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; January 24 and May 2, 11 a.m.
The Summit School
664 E. Central Avenue, Davidsonville; 410-798-0005; thesummitschool.org; October 7, November 12, December 8, January 13, February 18, March 23, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Wye River Upper School
316 S. Commerce Street, Centreville; 410-758-2922; wyeriverupperschool.org; Open House – November 3, January 27 and March 3, 9:30 a.m. Virtual Open House – February 22.
