Visitors Gather in the Upper School Library. (Photo/Chris Heerman’18. Media team)
Columbus Academy excels in a wide variety of activities – from academics to athletics, from programs to facilities, from students to faculty. However, only the immediate community knows how great Academy is. The annual Open House is an invitation for the outside community to see CA’s strengths.
Mr. Wuorinen explained that the toughest piece about admissions is marketing. The number one way people hear about Academy and its Open House is by word-of-mouth. Academy has also started an advertising campaign on NBC’s Chanel 4, which features a series of videos promoting the school.
This past Sunday, November 20, some of our 6th to 12th grade students volunteered their time to give tours to prospective families who either have no knowledge about Academy or are already in the application process.
Junior Anders Seline rode his motorized skateboard, and senior Alaina Gwin and junior Mikey Boeckman, dressed up as Vikings to greet prospective students.
Though welcome to tour wherever our visitors wished, students had a suggested tour route.
The first stop was the pool balcony, where Mr. Yakscoe could talk to students about our school’s swim program.
Outside of the Barton Room, Ms. Bening explained the involvement of Service throughout the school, including Service Board and the multitude of Academy’s service opportunities.
Current students then led potential students to the gyms and the Athletic Lobby, where Lower School Basketball teams practiced and Coach Miller talked about Academy’s football program outside the Weight Room.
Orchestra students played in the Practice Room foyer as tours led into the Schoedinger Theater, where students gave information about assemblies, junior speeches, and the fine and performing arts’ programs.
Mr. Kirk coached a few juniors for their speeches on Monday, November 21. Other coaches, teachers, and representatives were available in the theater lobby to answer questions about their respective programs.
Students led their tours through the new arts building, where a “Still Life” exhibit was arranged in the gallery. Ceramics students were working in Mr. Rahe’s room.
Mr. Cullinan was stationed outside of his room and with the robot controllers, where he talked about Academy’s technology program and Skunkworks.
Tours continued past the Senior Quad and through the Upper School, as guides discussed classes and traditions.
Students peeked into classrooms, including where Robotics practice was in action and students coded in the computer science room, then headed to the library where the yearbook staff held its weekly Sunday meeting and as Upper School faculty talked about their subjects.
Though cold days and difficult weather often hinder the Open House’s turnout, the 35-degree cloudy day still brought in many tour groups, and all the students that volunteered wound up on at least one tour for this event.
