Archbishop Mitty is more than just a school where lessons are taught—it is a place where community is built and connections are fostered. The school offers a Visit Mitty program for prospective eighth graders to provide a window into this atmosphere, allowing families and applicants to see and experience what Mitty has to offer.
The Visit Mitty Program, started many years ago, invites visitors to experience firsthand the daily life of a Mitty student and helps them prepare for the transition from middle to high school. For example, Ms. Johana Diaz Covarrubias (’11), Assistant for Admissions, shared that as a prospective student, Visit Mitty introduced her to the excitement of attending Mitty. This later inspired her to help grow the program as a staff member.
Before experiencing a full day in the life of a Mitty student, there are other opportunities that help prospective families see the school from a different perspective. Mitty’s Open House and curriculum nights provide realistic views of the community, academics, and campus. These events are more focused on parents exploring whether the school is the right fit for their children, while Visit Mitty offers a more personal experience meant especially for applicants.
During their visit, guests are paired with either a selected or recommended Mitty student and guided through classrooms and shared spaces to observe real classes, expectations, and student collaboration. They arrive before 8:00 a.m. and leave at 1:25 p.m., experiencing up to three classes with their student guide. As the day goes on, student guides describe their classes and connect with their guests. Visitors become part of Mitty’s tight-knit community—joining friend groups at lunch tables, seeing interactions between students and teachers, and, if they are lucky, witnessing school spirit on special days.
A Visit Mitty day begins with a full campus tour led by select students before gathering in the Power Courtyard to meet their student guide. In the middle of the day, guests experience lunch at Mitty. They are provided with a ticket for a free meal but still go through the true experience of waiting in line with their guide. When it is time to leave, their guide escorts them to the Foyer to sign out and be picked up. According to Anaya and Maddison, two prospective students, “the teachers were nice and really knew the material they were teaching,” describing their experience as fun and even a little overwhelming.
Guests participating in the Visit Mitty Program are able to leave with a better understanding of true high school standards and less anxiety about what to expect. Whether it be new friends waiting for them to graduate or an idea of what awaits once their middle school days are over, guests always leave with something gained.