Every year, the phrase “open house” can either inspire a wave of anxiety in students as they imagine their teachers telling their parents about their bad classroom habits, or a sense of excitement about the idea of people, more than just their grandparents, will gush about their achievements. A thought of ‘couldn’t care less’ may also cross a student’s mind.

But which reaction is appropriate? Are open houses something worth the excitement, or just a waste of time?

On one hand, open houses allow parents to learn about each of their children’s classes and how they’re doing in said classes. This allows parents a chance to find out if they need to address anything with their kids, like bad classroom behavior or any degree of slacking off in a certain class.

Parent nights such as Freshman Orientation can also give insight as to how to help parents help their children as they go through changes in their class expectations, school environment, and other school related transitions.

“I’ve only gone to the Freshman Orientation,” said Jen Rattie, mother of Gilli Rattie, sophomore, and Trevor Rattie, senior. “In my opinion the Open House is only really beneficial to freshman or new parents.”

On the other hand, typical open houses aren’t required for a reason. Some parents don’t find the need to check up on their kids at school beyond asking how their day was after school ends at 3:11pm.

Parents also may not want, or need to take forty-five minutes to an hour or two out of their day to see their high school students’ projects and essays. As kids get older, their need for gratification through their guardians’ praise of a good grade on things like a science project or literary essay diminishes.

“I’ve never been to one [an open house night],” said Rattie. “I don’t really think there’s a point to it.”