My name is Leo Mazur, I am a seventh-grader at the Clinton Middle School in New York City looking forward to High School. If COVID-19 cancels public high school touring this fall, it will be much harder for students and parents to go through the admission process. I ask that every school in New York City offer virtual tours to prospective families.  

1) Virtual tours allow a school to highlight how their educational approach is unique. By offering a meeting platform with the staff and head of the school, prospective parents and students will get a much better idea of the school’s philosophy.

2) Virtual tours can include video chats, offering prospective families to interact with faculty, alumni, and current students without the stress, hustle, and long wait time that come with in-person tours.

3) Virtual tours can show school facilities and possibly the school’s neighborhood as well as the route from the school to the main transit stations. This is important, especially for families who may not live in the area.

4) Virtual tours are inclusive and a great way for NYC working-class families to visit high-schools without taking too much time off.

5) Virtual tours are safe and if COVID-19 quarantine continues, they offer an option for families with members at higher risk.

In these uncertain times, it is necessary that the NYC department of education and the public high school administrators provide a clear path to the admission process by mandating virtual tours. This is one of the best tools for prospective families to learn about their potential schools. As a future high schooler, I am looking forward to learning more about my dream school.