Factors Influencing Retention of Students for Independent School Re-Enrollment

Abstract

Independent school leaders are continually faced with the challenges of declining enrollment and expanding public options and currently lack a mechanism to understand what influences parents’ reenrollment choices. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a theoretical framework for reenrollment decisions in secular and Catholic independent schools. Participants included parents of children currently enrolled in one of six independent elementary/middle schools in the greater metropolitan region of Upstate New York. Results confirmed that affordability, espoused values, individual attention, sense of community, development/growth, and continuity/friendships predicted parents’ reenrollment intentions. Our research underscored the importance of understanding parents’ motives and demonstrated the efficacy of a valid measure for independent schools to assess and act on parents’ perceptions and intentions.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the support of two undergraduate research methodology classes whose valuable time and effort were instrumental in supporting this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paul Thurston

Paul Thurston is an associate professor of Management at Siena College. He earned his PhD in Organizational Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY. His research interests include, organizational engagement and effectiveness.

Jessica Salmon

Jessica Salmon is an assistant professor of Management at Siena College. She earned her PhD in International Business at Rutgers University. Her research interests include complexity theory and corruption.