Rethinking the Open House

For many families exploring independent schools, the admissions journey begins with a familiar experience: the open house. Prospective parents walk campus, attend presentations, and gather information designed to introduce a school’s programs and philosophy.

At St. Andrew’s, however, the Upper School admissions team began to wonder whether that traditional model truly reflected what families most wanted to know.

What if, instead of hearing about school, families could actually experience it?

That question led to the creation of Go Back to High School, an immersive admissions event that invites prospective families to step directly into the rhythm of a typical school day at St. Andrew’s — attending classes, navigating campus, and engaging with students and faculty in real time.

“My primary goal in admissions is to create an authentic experience for applicant families,” says Director of Upper School Admissions, Malia Aycock. “Whatever time they spend here should genuinely reflect what their child and family would experience if they enroll.”

A Glimpse of a Typical Day at SAS 

Unlike traditional open houses, which often take place on weekends or evenings when school is not in session, Go Back to High School unfolds during a normal academic day. Families arrive, receive a campus map and a schedule listing every class meeting that day, and design their own experience.

Some stay for an hour. Others spend the entire day moving between classrooms, observing discussions, and exploring programs aligned with their child’s interests. Every classroom door is open, and nothing is staged.

Teachers lead their regularly planned lessons. Students participate as they normally would. Aside from avoiding test or quiz days, the experience mirrors daily life as closely as possible.

“We’re not asking teachers to create special presentations,” Aycock explains. “This is what they were already planning to teach. We want families to see the real thing.”

The format quickly becomes what many parents describe as a “choose-your-own-adventure.” A family interested in advanced math can visit multiple math classes and connect with faculty in that department, while another might explore fine arts, humanities, or science offerings they didn’t even know existed.

At the center of the day is lunch in the Learning Commons, where families sit with department chairs to ask questions about curriculum pathways, academic challenge, and student support. The conversations often move beyond general information to focus on each child’s unique interests and goals.

Equally meaningful are the unplanned moments — asking students for directions, navigating between buildings, or attending chapel alongside the community. These experiences offer families insight into the culture of St. Andrew’s in ways that brochures or presentations cannot replicate.

For many visitors, chapel becomes a defining part of the day, providing a window into the school’s Episcopal identity and its emphasis on reflection, belonging, and shared community life.

The Impact of Authenticity 

That sense of authenticity has proven powerful. Families who attend Go Back to High School gain a clear understanding of what life at St. Andrew’s truly looks and feels like before making an enrollment decision. According to admissions data, students accepted after attending the event enroll at an exceptionally high rate — a reflection of strong alignment between family expectations and student experience.

“When families really know who we are, they know whether it’s the right fit,” Aycock says. “We want to make sure families feel confident that this community matches what they’re looking for. That’s our goal for this event.”

What’s more, the parent response has been overwhelmingly positive.  

“We wanted to reach out to thank you for such a cool experience earlier this week with your Go Back to High School event,” wrote one parent after the most recent admissions event. “What a great idea to give prospective parents a peek inside the classrooms! We were really impressed with the teachers we were able to observe, and the kids were so open and interactive. The day reinforced all of our positive feelings about St. Andrew’s.” 

The approach also reflects St. Andrew’s broader mission as an Episcopal school serving the Austin area. Drawing students from nearly 50 zip codes across the city, the Upper School intentionally brings together families from diverse neighborhoods, backgrounds, and perspectives.

“We want our student body to reflect the greater Austin community,” Aycock explains. “Students learn how to live and work alongside people who may have different experiences from their own. That’s essential preparation for the world beyond school.”

Leading The Way In Independent School Admissions 

Over the years, Go Back to High School has continued to evolve. Student panels and question-and-answer sessions have been added, and the admissions team regularly refines the experience to create deeper opportunities for connection. The program has even gained national attention: this fall, Head of Upper School, Steven Fletcher, and Malia Aycock presented the model at a professional admissions conference, hosting a standing-room-only session exploring how schools might move beyond the traditional open house.

Even with its success, Aycock sees the event as an ongoing process rather than a finished product.

“I’d be disappointed if we ever felt like it was perfect,” she says. “There’s always something we can improve.”

What remains constant is the guiding philosophy behind the day: helping families understand not just what St. Andrew’s offers, but who the community truly is.

Choosing a school means finding a place where students feel known, challenged, and connected — a place that feels right long before the first day of classes begins.

At St. Andrew’s, sometimes the best way to imagine the future starts with going back to high school.