The guests met about 25 teachers and staff members, who welcomed them to the Collinwood campus, Principal Crystal Maclin said.

Most of the students who attended the orientation were already committed to Collinwood, but a couple of parents, Maclin said, were looking over the campus to see if it was the best fit for their children.

They liked what they saw.

“Among the families, there was an overwhelming sense of excitement,” said Maclin, one of three principals at the school. “They had questions about the dress code, about classes and about what to expect, and we tried to answer those questions.”

She said several parents asked about how they could get involved with the school and how to take a proactive role in their children’s education.

Maclin, now in her second year at the school, said it was helpful for the freshmen to meet administrators, teachers and staff, to meet other freshmen and to tour the campus.

C Students from JROTC and the cheerleading and high-steppers squads attended the orientation. 

Maclin said Collinwood got the word out to parents about the orientation through local media, fliers posted in community stores and a message prominently posted on the school’s St. Clair Avenue marquee.

And was the effort a success?