International School Tours? Here’s What to Look For (and Ask!)

The International School Tour is one of the most important steps in your search for the right-fit school. It’s your chance to move beyond glossy websites and polished Instagram reels to see the learning environment in real time. Expat Cities are home to a dazzling range of international schools offering world-class facilities, rich academic programmes, and vibrant communities. But when you’re in the thick of school tours, it can be easy to get swept away by polished campuses and impressive marketing.

At ED-SG, we help families cut through the noise. If you’re heading to Singapore, Dubai Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumper, Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City to explore schools, here’s our essential guide to making the most out of your school visits.

Go in With a Game Plan

Before you step onto a school campus, take time as a family to establish your educational values. What matters most to you? This will help focus your questions and frame your observations. Consider the following:

  • Academic outcomes vs. holistic development: Are you more focused on grades and university pathways, or are you looking for a broad and balanced, well-rounded education?
  • Character development: Does the school nurture traits that you aim to develop at home? These might be traits like empathy, grit, and curiosity, for example. 
  • Structure vs. inquiry-based learning: Do your children thrive in a traditional setting or a more flexible, exploratory environment?
  • Extracurricular activities: What opportunities are available beyond the classroom?
  • Pastoral care: How does the school support students’ wellbeing?
  • Curriculum: Do you want to stick with something familiar, like a National Curriculum from your home country, or are you open to something more international, like the International Baccalaureate? 
  • Student diversity: What nationalities are represented in the school community? 

Clarifying your values will help you understand whether a school’s ethos aligns with your own.

Don’t Just Look—Listen

While touring, observe student-teacher interactions. Tours are great opportunities to witness the nuances of the school’s culture. Consider:

  • Are students engaged? 
  • Are teachers up and actively involved in the learning or are they sitting behind a desk or a screen?
  • Do staff and students seem happy and confident?
  • You will likely meet a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Watch if and how they interact with your child. 
  • Be attentive to tone—are staff warm and welcoming to all members of the school community? 
  • How do the staff interact with each other? 
  • Does the school feel alive with purposeful learning?
  • How do students interact? Is there a sense of community?

Ask to walk through different areas of the school, not just the year/grade group that your child is applying to. For example, if they are applying to the Primary Years, it’s often useful to have a look at the Early Years to see where their peers have come from. Similarly, touring the Secondary School will offer insight as to what direction their educational journey is heading in.

Ask the Right Questions

Look beyond the buildings. Yes, that Olympic-sized swimming pool is impressive, but what would a day in the life look like for your child? Come prepared with a mix of logistical and values-driven questions. Here are a few ideas:

  • What does a typical day look like?
  • How are children supported if they need help academically, socially, or emotionally?
  • What are class sizes and teacher-student ratios?
  • How is progress assessed and communicated to parents?
  • What enrichment or after-school opportunities are available?

Ask About Integration and the “Soft Landing”

Moving to a new school — especially in a new country — can be a vulnerable time for children. A school that understands this will have structures in place to ease the transition.

Ask:

  • What orientation or welcome programmes are in place for new students?
  • Do you have buddy programmes or peer mentors?
  • Is there a counsellor or pastoral care lead who supports new families?
  • How do you support students who are new to English (if applicable)?
  • What strategies do you use to help students build resilience during transitions?
  • How does the school monitor and support emotional wellbeing in the first term?

A truly nurturing school will have clear, proactive responses to these questions.

(For more on how to support your child emotionally and academically during a move, check out our blog on The Resilient Learner)

Student Voice

If your child is touring with you, let them ask questions too — even the silly ones! “Do you have a football team?” or “What’s lunch like?” can reveal a lot about how the school operates and connects with its students. Children often notice the small details that adults overlook — and how they feel walking through a school can tell you a lot.

In fact, schools that actively value and encourage student voice often foster more engaged, confident learners. Ask schools how they include students in decision-making, whether it’s through student councils, peer mentoring, or classroom discussions. Do students feel heard and respected? Are there platforms where their ideas and feedback help shape the school community?

A child who feels seen and heard is far more likely to thrive — emotionally, socially, and academically.

Trust Your Gut

Don’t underestimate the power of your instincts. A school might look perfect on paper, but if something doesn’t feel right during your tour, it’s worth paying attention. Likewise, a school you were unsure about might surprise you with its warmth, clarity of vision, or strong community feel.

Reflect After Each Tour

Tours can blur together, especially if you’re seeing several schools in a few days. Right after each visit, jot down notes to send to your ED-SG Consultant while the experience is still fresh:

  • What stood out?
  • What were your child’s reactions?
  • Did the school match your values?
  • Did it feel welcoming, structured, inspiring?

You might even want to rank each school on a few categories: academics, pastoral care, community, facilities, and overall feel.

Don’t Do It Alone

Working with an education consultant at ED-SG means you’re not navigating this process blind. We’ll help shortlist schools based on your family’s unique needs, book your tours, prepare your questions, and debrief with you after each visit.

Let us help you find a school where your child will thrive—not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and personally.

Need support planning your school tours or relocation strategy? Speak to one of our ED-SG consultants by booking a free, virtual education consultation here.