Every year from September to December, students from various middle schools tour the Jesuit Dallas campus in order to gain insight on the daily life of a Jesuit student. So far this year, 650 8th grade students have visited the campus, considering it as a potential place to spend the next four years of their lives growing physically, mentally, and spiritually.
The admissions committee invites all Catholic diocesan schools and two Episcopal schools, St. Johns and Good Shepherd, to send their 8th grade male students to Jesuit for touring. All students who don’t attend one of those schools may sign up for one of three “Open Visit” days in order to experience the same campus tour.
For students visiting with their schools, the day starts at around 10:30 as a bus delivers them to Jesuit’s doorstep. After a brief meet-and-greet with Mr. Host, the Director of Admissions, Mr. Garrison gives the students and accompanying teachers a presentation about the founder of the Jesuit order, Saint Ignatius, and the ideals of Jesuit institutions.
Following the presentation, students are lead throughout the campus; first, to the state of the art weight room and gyms, where any questions concerning sports are answered. A walk-through of the hallways and cafeteria follows, then a visit to the robotics lab, before a stop at the Band Hall, where a presentation is given regarding the fine arts opportunities at the school. Afterwards, an engaging visit to a science lab, where students get a sense of the many labs and interactive, skill-building activities that take place. An informative talk with Mr. Marr shares the details of student life, things concerning uniform, schedules, clubs, etc., and then perhaps the most fulfilling part of the tour: lunch. The day concludes as Mr. Host elaborates on the admissions process in order to eliminate any confusion regarding the complex and sometimes overwhelming subject.
While the school/group visits are informative and thorough, some students wish to receive a more in depth tour of the school, for “there is no way to show [the students], in three hours, everything [Jesuit] has to offer,” Mr. Host says. A student or parent who wishes for a more in depth, personalized tour may schedule one in which an ambassador or faculty member will give a thorough walk-through of the campus, elaborating on the countless opportunities of the school and answering any questions the visitors may have.
Through truthful feedback and careful observation, Jesuit’s team of dedicated faculty members has changed, discarded, and added parts of the visit in order to create the most all-encompassing, enjoyable tour experience for potential members of the Jesuit community.
