By the Education Karnataka Editorial Team · Last updated: November 2026

Quick answer: On a boarding school campus visit, ask about five areas: safety and supervision, hostel life, academics, health and food, and fees and communication. The 25 questions below cover all five. A good school answers them clearly, shows you the facilities, and puts the important answers in writing.

Key takeaways

• A campus visit tells you more than any brochure, website or advertisement.
• Ask to see the hostel rooms, washrooms and dining hall, not just the reception area and the auditorium.
• Speak to a warden and a teacher, not only the admission office.
• Write down the answers and compare schools using the same questions.

Why do the questions you ask matter so much?

Every school looks good on its best day. The questions you ask decide whether you see the real picture. Standard questions get standard answers, while specific ones (“Who is with the children at 2 am?”) show how a school actually works.

Print this list, take it with you, and note the answers for each school you visit.

Safety and supervision (Questions 1–6)

1. How many wardens or house parents are on duty at night, and do they live on campus?
2. What happens if a child falls ill in the middle of the night? Who responds, and how quickly?
3. How are visitors checked at the gate? Is there a visitor register, and who can pick up a child?
4. Do you have a written child-protection policy? Can I see it?
5. Has every staff member, including drivers and support staff, been background-verified?
6. How do children report a problem without fear? Is there a counsellor or a named teacher they can go to?

Hostel life (Questions 7–11)

• Are boys’ and girls’ hostels in separate buildings, with separate supervision?
• How many students share a room, and how are washrooms cleaned and checked?
• What does a typical day look like, from wake-up to lights-out?
• How are weekends and holidays spent by students who stay back?
• What is the policy on mobile phones, pocket money and personal belongings?

Academics (Questions 12–16)

1. What is the average class size?
2. Who supervises evening study hours: teachers or wardens?
3. What support is given to a child who falls behind?
4. How often will I receive progress reports, and in what form?
5. What extra programmes do you offer (foundation courses, olympiad preparation, language support), and are they included in the fee?

Health and food (Questions 17–20)

1. Is there a sick bay, and is a nurse or doctor available on call?
2. How far is the nearest hospital, and how is a child transported in an emergency?
3. Can I see this week’s menu? Are vegetarian meals and special diets available?
4. How do you manage allergies and regular medication?

Fees, communication and admission (Questions 21–25)

• What is the total annual cost, in writing, including hostel, food, uniforms, books, laundry and trips?
• Is the booking or registration amount refundable?
• How often can my child call home, and how can I reach my child in an emergency?
• Who is my single point of contact for concerns?
• What does the admission process involve (test, interview, documents), and when must I decide?

What should you observe, beyond the answers?

What to observe	What it tells you
How students greet visitors	Confidence and the general atmosphere
Cleanliness of washrooms and dormitories	How carefully daily care is managed
Notice boards and student work on walls	How active the academic and co-curricular life is
How staff speak to children	The school’s culture of respect
Whether you are rushed or pressured	How transparent the admission process is

Tips for a productive campus visit

• Visit on a normal working day, not only on an annual day or open house.
• Take your child along. Notice how they react to the campus and the students.
• Ask for a short walk with a current student or parent, if the school allows it.
• Compare at least two or three schools using the same list.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a boarding school campus visit take? Plan for at least one to two hours, so you can see the hostel, the dining hall and the classrooms, and speak to staff without rushing.

Should I take my child on the first visit? Usually yes, especially for children in Class 4 and above. Their reaction is useful, and being involved helps them settle in later.

Is it rude to ask to see the washrooms and hostel rooms? Not at all. A good residential school expects these questions and is happy to show you.

What if a school will not answer some questions in writing? Treat it as a warning sign, especially for fees, refund rules and safety policies.

How many schools should I visit before deciding? Most families find that visiting two to four shortlisted schools gives a fair comparison.

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