What to Expect From Private School Open Houses for Students
Is the high school experience at St. Agnes right for your daughter? Attend one of our private school open houses to learn what our all-girls environment can provide for your daughter.
Written by Alexandra Wong ‘26
St. Agnes Academy is proud to offer Houston families an expansive high school education rooted in the Catholic, Dominican tradition.
We challenge young women academically, supplementing their high school years with unique, transformational experiences to facilitate their development into young adults who lead with integrity and a commitment to social justice.
One of the best ways to get a taste of our school is through one of our private school open houses. Learn why these gatherings are the perfect opportunity to discover what being an Academy woman is all about!
What Can I Expect from Private School Open Houses?
An open house allows you to hear directly from faculty and students and discover what attending St. Agnes looks like.
The event will begin with a talk from Head of School Karen Jakuback and Principal Carleen Raymond, and performances by St. Agnes’ Tiger Girls dance team and double Triple Trio.
Attendees will then move into guided tours, visiting nine departments, including English, Science, Math, History, and Foreign Language. The tour will also include time to meet and interact with our coaches, choir and orchestra directors, dance teachers, speech and debate moderators, and Spectrum Engineering moderators.
Prospective families will also have the chance to explore our many club offerings in a mini “Club Carnival” where current students will represent their clubs.
This year, our official Open House is Sunday, October 19, at 3:00 p.m. There is no registration required, and it is the ideal opportunity to learn about the St. Agnes curriculum, counseling, and student activities!
Who Will We See at Open House?
Open House efforts are headed by the admissions team, including Brigid Schiro, Beth Anchondo, and Molly Marietta. They work with the Student Council Executive Team to coordinate Student Council and National Honor Society volunteers who work the event, lead tour groups, direct traffic, and answer questions from prospective families.
Current St. Agnes students are available throughout the afternoon, eager to give their personal insight and advice as Academy Women. Many students also represent their extracurricular involvement as representatives for sports teams and art groups.
Families will also hear from department chairs and testimonials from select students throughout the event.
What if I Can’t Attend the Official Open House?
Can’t make our Open House in October? We offer a variety of opportunities throughout the year to see our campus and evaluate whether St. Agnes is the right fit for your daughter!
1. Feeder School Visits
St. Agnes welcomes a variety of Houston area schools to visit the campus as an 8th-grade class, including St. Laurence Catholic School, River Oaks Baptist School, Presbyterian, etc.
Students will be led on a tour by current students, have the chance to observe classes, and walk through what a typical day at St. Agnes looks like.
2. Open Visit Days
Prospective 8th graders who attend public schools in Houston or other schools that do not participate in an official visit with their middle school are welcome to visit campus on “Open Visit” days.
- Tuesday, November 4th, is the next Open Visit Day!
3. Campus Tour
Campus Tours are offered most Tuesdays and Thursdays in the fall from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Prospective families are encouraged to attend and catch a glimpse of student life and all St. Agnes can offer your daughter.
4. Veritas Visits
Veritas Visits are designed for current applicants who want to experience life on campus and in the classroom. Applicants will be paired one-on-one with a current Tiger Ambassador (student ambassador) and attend two classes and lunch with them.
- This opportunity runs from January to early March. Schedule your family’s visit!
5. School Preview: Parent Edition
School Preview: Parent Edition is for the parents of current 8th graders. This event will include a presentation of curriculum offerings from our Director of Enrollment, an overview of the Admissions process and financial aid, student testimonials, and a Q&A session!
What’s Next After Attending an Open House?
As a private school, admission to St. Agnes requires an application. St. Agnes reviews each student holistically, looking at the following materials:
- Grades from 6th, 7th and the first semester of 8th grade
- English and Math teacher recommendation forms completed by 8th-grade Math/English teachers
- Student application and essay
- Attendance and discipline records
- Work habits
Attending Open House is a great way to begin your daughter’s application process. The next step is to continue making progress with the application and checking for material deadlines.
Learn More About Our Admissions Process
Private school open houses are the best way to learn what high school education at St. Agnes can provide your daughter. You’ll discover opportunities for an extensive academic experience, sisterhood rooted in the Catholic faith, and various activities and programming. There truly is something for every student!
Want to know more about touring the campus or have questions about the application process? Check out the admissions page on our website! For further questions, contact our admissions team today to receive personalized answers.
