How is the school cared for? Is it clean?

Walk into a student bathroom. Although this may not your favorite thought, you can get a good read on how well a school is taken care of by its bathrooms.

Are students in the hallways, in lounges, outside, or off-campus?

Different schools place different restrictions on where students can go. See if students are where they are supposed to be.

What are the students doing, who are not in a class? How is "free" time spent?

Don't worry if you see some children just sitting around and talking. Social interaction is an important part of a student's day, however you also want to see students doing research or engaged in an activity like yearbook, or photography, or meeting with a teacher or counselor.

How are students dressed?

If a school has a dress code, see if it is being followed. Also make sure that your child will be able to be comfortable with what is being worn.

Notice what happens between classes.

Look for some interactions between teachers and students. Listen for the tone of student conversations. Is it happy, or focussed, or something else? Do people seem to be getting where they need to go?

What are the faculty that currently are not teaching doing?

Don't worry if you see a faculty member taking a break with a cup of coffee. However, you should also see teachers doing serious work, such as meeting with students, meeting with colleagues, and preparing for class or extracurricular activities.