Welcome to the Bay Area–Wide School Open House Calendar, your central hub for discovering private school open houses, campus tours, and admissions events across the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

Explore school events by region:

• East Bay School Open House Calendar — Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Fremont, and more
• Peninsula & Silicon Valley School Open House Calendar — Palo Alto, San Mateo, Cupertino, Mountain View, and more
• San Francisco & North Bay School Open House Calendar — San Francisco, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and beyond

Whether you’re just starting your school search or planning final visits, this calendar connects you with the top private and independent schools across the Bay Area.

What to expect at Bay Area school open houses

Exploring private school options across the San Francisco Bay Area? Whether you’re considering schools in Oakland, Palo Alto, San Francisco, or Santa Rosa, attending a school open house is one of the best ways to understand which learning environment fits your child’s unique needs.

Families can find open house events in every region—East Bay, Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco/North Bay—with schools hosting them throughout the fall, winter, and spring. From San Mateo to Sonoma, these events help you compare academic programs, meet educators, and experience each school community in person.

What is a school open house?

A school open house is a scheduled event where private, independent, parochial, and charter schools welcome prospective families to explore their campuses. These events vary by school but typically include:

• Guided campus tours
• Classroom visits or student shadow days
• Presentations from school leadership
• Panel discussions with parents, teachers, and students
• Admissions Q&A sessions

Some events require advance registration, so be sure to check each school’s website or visit our regional calendars for details.

Key features of Bay Area private school open houses

Private school campus tours

Across the Bay Area—from Fremont to San Rafael—most open houses include guided tours of school facilities, including classrooms, libraries, arts centers, science labs, and athletic spaces. These tours are often led by current students, giving families an authentic glimpse into campus life.

Classroom visits or student shadowing

Some schools offer opportunities to observe classes in action or allow students to shadow a current student. This hands-on experience helps families better understand academic expectations and student engagement.

Meet the Head of School and admissions teams

Open houses often feature presentations or Q&A sessions with the Head of School, admissions staff, and current families. These interactions give you valuable insight into the school’s values, academic philosophy, financial aid offerings, and more.

Arts, athletics, and clubs showcase

Many Bay Area schools include extracurricular fairs during open houses, where families can explore offerings in visual and performing arts, STEAM, athletics, leadership, robotics, and more.

Dining halls and food programs

Some schools offer lunch or refreshments during the event, particularly those with boarding options or full-day programs. Touring the dining facilities gives families a fuller picture of student life.

On-site admissions interviews

Select schools offer the option to schedule or complete a student interview during the open house. If you’re already in the application process or traveling from outside the area, ask if this is available.

Why Bay Area school open houses matter

The Bay Area offers a wide range of private school environments—urban campuses in San Francisco, nature-focused programs in Marin, tech-integrated schools in Silicon Valley, and legacy institutions in the East Bay. Attending an open house helps you:

• Meet teachers, students, and administrators face-to-face
• Understand the academic and extracurricular offerings
• Ask specific questions about tuition, financial aid, and support programs
• Discover a school community that aligns with your family’s values

There’s no obligation to apply after attending. Open houses are designed to help families make informed choices about their child’s education.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What cities and regions are included in the Bay Area–Wide School Open House Calendar?

We include events in all major regions and cities, including:

• East Bay: Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Fremont, Danville
• Peninsula & Silicon Valley: Palo Alto, San Mateo, Menlo Park, Cupertino, Mountain View
• San Francisco & North Bay: San Francisco, Marin County, Napa, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Novato, Mill Valley

Do these events include preschool through high school options?

Yes. Our calendar features open houses for preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools, including both day and boarding schools.

Are these only for private schools?

Yes. The Bay Area School Open House Calendar focuses exclusively on private, independent, parochial, and charter school events.

When do private school open houses typically happen?

Most open houses occur in the fall (October–December) and early winter (January–February), though some schools offer spring or rolling admissions tours.

Do I need to register for an open house?

Many schools require advance registration. Click through to the school’s event listing to confirm times and reserve your spot.

Where can I find open house listings by region?

• East Bay School Open House Calendar
• Peninsula & Silicon Valley School Open House Calendar
• San Francisco & North Bay School Open House Calendar

Start your Bay Area school search today

Whether you’re researching Oakland K–8 schools, Palo Alto high schools, Marin preschools, or Napa Valley private academies, our Bay Area–Wide Open House Calendar makes it easy to explore your options. Bookmark this page and check back often for new listings throughout the school year.