An Examination of the Behaviors and Strategies of Resurgent Parish Elementary Schools.

Abstract

Catholic schools in the United States of America have witnessed a steady decline in enrollment since the 1960s. Some Catholic elementary schools have rebuked the trend and are finding new and inventive ways to grow. The identification of these best practices and strategies may indicate a new direction for all Catholic elementary schools in the United States. Within an archdiocese in the northeast region of the United States, two schools were studied to determine how and why the schools have become successful in the past five years. The critical instance case study used observations, surveys, and interviews to collect data in an effort to understand what has made the schools successful. The data suggested an investigation into the various governance models in use today by other private Catholic schools. Ultimately, the research led to the need for more study on governance models and a suggestion that canonical administration may not be the best model for the future success of Catholic elementary schools.