Fall is tour season. Families looking for a change next school year start visiting campuses, attending information sessions, and comparing options. If you plan to tour Folsom private schools this month, the questions you bring will shape what you learn.
Most tours show you the best version of a school: bright classrooms, friendly staff, and polished answers. Good questions help you look past the presentation. This checklist gives Christian parents 10 questions to ask any private school, explains what a strong answer sounds like, and shows how The Academy at District Church answers each one on its website.
If you are choosing a kindergarten specifically, our guide to choosing a kindergarten in Folsom covers early-years questions in more depth. This list works for families touring at any grade level, K–12.
How to Prepare Before You Tour
Preparation turns a pleasant visit into a real evaluation. Before your first tour:
Name the problem you want to solve. Write one sentence about why you want a change, such as "My child stopped being curious."
Watch each school's overview first. Many schools offer videos or information sessions. Watching them ahead of time lets you go deeper on the tour.
Bring your child when it fits. A child who helps choose a school may feel more invested in making the change work.
Ask for documents. Request the family handbook and a sample enrollment agreement if the school provides them. Written terms answer questions a tour cannot.
Know the Typical Timeline
The Academy's guide to Christian school open enrollment describes a common pattern. Many families attend info sessions in late summer and fall, make serious campus visits in November and December, and then reserve places and apply from January through March. Smaller schools may enroll on a rolling basis, so visiting in November gives you more choice and less pressure.
The 10 Questions Every Christian Parent Should Ask
1. How does faith shape an ordinary Tuesday?
Almost every Christian school mentions faith. Ask how it shows up in a regular school day, not just in chapel or Bible class.
Listen for: Specific daily practices and how faith affects discipline, relationships, and learning.
At The Academy, each day starts with Connect, a time for devotions and discussion with God and one another. The school says faith shapes how students live, learn, and treat one another, and it publishes a Statement of Faith that families can review.
2. Who drives the learning: the teacher, the curriculum, or my child?
This question reveals a school's philosophy faster than any brochure. Some schools follow a fixed curriculum delivered from the front of the room. Others give students more ownership.
Listen for: A clear, honest description that matches what you see in classrooms.
The Academy describes its model as learner-driven, project-based, and mentor-guided. Its grade-level pages explain that students take on more ownership as they grow, while guides set clear expectations and coach them along the way.
3. What does a normal day look like?
A school's daily rhythm shows its real priorities. Ask for a typical schedule for a child your child's age.
Listen for: Time for movement, focused academics, collaboration, and rest, not just a list of subjects.
The Academy describes its day as A Day at The Academy: Connect, Conquer, Move, Eat, Collaborate, and Create. That rhythm mixes devotions, core academics, physical activity, lunch, group projects, and time to create meaningful work.
4. How will I know my child is learning?
Grades tell part of the story. Ask what else the school uses to show progress.
Listen for: Regular, visible updates and clear goals you can discuss at home.
At The Academy, middle and high school students set goals, track progress, and share results publicly, so guides, peers, and parents know where each student stands. High schoolers also receive letter grades and percentages in academic coursework.
5. How do you handle discipline and conflict?
Every child breaks rules sometimes. How a school responds shapes character as much as any lesson.
Listen for: A consistent process that teaches responsibility instead of only punishing.
The Academy's elementary FAQ describes discipline as coaching with love, clarity, patience, and consistency. When staff sees a pattern, they address it with the student first, then with parents if needed, and they use a performance plan when necessary.
6. How do older and younger students interact?
Age-segregated and mixed-age schools create very different cultures. Ask how often students of different ages work and play together.
Listen for: Planned opportunities for mentoring and leadership across ages.
The Academy uses blended-age learning, and its elementary page notes that most days begin with blended-age structured play. On your visit, ask how older and younger students work together at your child's grade level.
7. What role do parents play?
Some schools keep parents at a distance. Others want them closely involved. Know which model you prefer.
Listen for: A specific description of how parents receive insight and give input.
The Academy describes parents as partners, not just drop-off drivers, with insight into their child's growth and input into the journey. In middle school, it says the parent's role shifts toward coaching and mentoring.
8. What kind of student does not thrive here?
This may be the most revealing question on the list. A school that knows its model can name who it serves poorly.
Listen for: A candid answer. Vague replies suggest the school has not thought carefully about fit.
The Academy answers this question publicly. Its Who The Academy Is For page lists signs of a poor fit, including wanting a traditional school experience or feeling that kids need to be told what to do.
9. What are the full costs, deposits, and refund rules?
Tuition rarely tells the whole financial story. Ask about fees, materials, trips, and what happens if you withdraw mid-year. A clear answer protects your budget and signals a school that respects families.
Listen for: Published numbers and a willingness to share written terms before you commit.
The Academy publishes tuition of $16,200 for K–8 and $18,900 for high school. Families reserve a place on the waiting list with a $1,000 refundable deposit before they receive application access. Ask the admissions team about any costs beyond tuition.
10. What is your accreditation, and how will credits transfer?
California does not license or approve private schools. The California Department of Education requires private schools to file an annual affidavit, but it states that it has no authority to license, evaluate, approve, or endorse private schools. Accreditation is optional and comes from outside bodies, so parents should ask about it directly.
Listen for: The name of any accrediting body and a clear plan for college-bound students.
For high schoolers, ask whether courses meet the University of California's A–G subject requirements, which require UC-approved courses. The Academy's High School page lists a learning partner that offers A–G approved courses for UC-bound students. Ask the school to explain how that works for your child's goals.
A Quick Tour Checklist You Can Print
| Question | What a Strong Answer Includes |
|---|---|
| How does faith shape a normal day? | Daily practices, not just a weekly chapel |
| Who drives the learning? | A clear philosophy you can see in action |
| What does a typical day look like? | A real schedule for your child's age |
| How will I know my child is learning? | Visible goals and regular progress updates |
| How do you handle discipline? | A consistent, teaching-focused process |
| How do ages interact? | Planned mentoring and mixed-age work |
| What role do parents play? | Specific ways parents get insight and give input |
| Who does not thrive here? | A candid, specific answer |
| What does it really cost? | Published tuition, fees, and refund rules |
| Accreditation and credits? | Any accreditor named and a UC A–G plan |
What to Watch Beyond the Answers
The best information on a tour often comes from what you see, not what you hear. Watch how adults speak to students. Notice whether students look engaged or simply compliant. If you can, ask a student what they like most about the school and what they would change.
Compare each school using the same checklist, so a friendly guide or a nice building does not decide for you.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Each Tour
Your own reactions matter as much as the school's answers. On the drive home, talk through these questions as a family:
Could I picture my child here on an ordinary Tuesday, not just on tour day?
Did the school's answers match what I saw in classrooms?
Did the adults know students by name and speak to them with respect?
Does this school's view of faith match what we teach at home?
What did my child notice that I missed?
Write your answers down the same day. After three or four tours, schools start to blur together, and notes keep your comparison honest.
Touring The Academy From Folsom
The Academy at District Church operates one campus at 7006 Rossmore Lane in El Dorado Hills, which neighbors Folsom. It does not have a Folsom campus, so families comparing Folsom private schools should factor in the drive for their visit and decision.
The school recommends a simple sequence. First, watch the Info Session to understand the model. The school also offers a virtual tour on its website. Next, if The Academy feels like a fit, reserve your spot with a $1,000 refundable deposit. Then complete the admission application, which includes a parent half and a student half.
Ask Better Questions, Make a Better Choice
Touring private schools in Folsom takes time, but the right questions help you make a confident, well-informed choice. Bring this list, ask every school the same 10 questions, and trust what you see as much as what you hear.
If The Academy's answers match what your family wants, start with this week's Info Session.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What questions should I ask on a private school tour?
Ask how faith shapes daily life, who drives the learning, what a typical day looks like, and how the school shows progress. Also ask about discipline, parent roles, total costs, and accreditation.
2. When should families start touring private schools?
Many families research and visit schools in the fall before the year they want to start. Smaller schools may enroll on a rolling basis, so earlier visits usually give you more options.
3. Should I bring my child on a school tour?
Often, yes, if your child is ready for it. Children who help choose a school may feel more invested in making the change work.
4. Are private schools in California accredited by the state?
No. The California Department of Education does not license, approve, or accredit private schools. Accreditation is optional, so ask each school which independent body, if any, accredits it.
5. What should I look for during a private school open house?
Watch how adults and students interact and whether students seem engaged. If possible, ask a current student what they enjoy and what they would change.
