An Exploration into the Factors that Influence Parents When Choosing a Faith-Based School for Their Children: An Australian Faith-based School System Case Study

Abstract

This research was borne out of curiosity concerning the reasons why more and more parents are choosing to send their children to faith-based schools in Australia’s secular society. This research aimed to shed light on this question by examining the reasons for parental school choice in four Seventh-day Adventist faith-based schools, two of which were urban, and two rural. It also sought to identify school choice differences between urban and rural, and also school choices by parents with faith affiliations and those without any faith affiliation. The literature revealed that although there is national research into school choice, there is limited research into factors that influence parents to choose faith-based schools in Australia and certainly a dearth of research that specifically relates to reasons for choosing Seventh-day Adventist faith-based schools. This study used a mixed methods approach in its exploration of the research question. The convergent parallel design was adopted that incorporated concurrent yet separate phases of quantitative and qualitative data collection. Firstly, a survey was sent to all parents of the four schools asking them to rate the importance of items relating to school choice. Secondly, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-one parent volunteers from the four schools. The social identity theory and secular good theory were two lenses that provided a useful theoretical framework for the research. Drawing on survey data, the study identified that factors relating to the nurture and care of students, the behaviour and behaviour management of students, the appearance of students and the wearing of uniform had the greatest influence on parental school choice. Interview data revealed that parents also placed great importance on factors that included a school which supported and taught family values, provided for their child’s well-being and provided an opportunity for their child to reach their educational potential. Importantly, the data revealed that there is no single reason or factor for school choice but that parents chose a faith-based school due to a complexity of reasons. These factors were also not considered in isolation, but as a dynamic, interacting and synergetic process. These findings are particularly pertinent because the majority of students that are enrolled in these schools are from non-Seventh-day Adventist families and further, many parents identify as having no faith affiliation at all. An important implication of this research is a clearer understanding of why parents choose faith-based schools. The research also suggests that parents consider a range of aspects of a school important in their decision-making process and this should drive marketing and future planning to include a broad view of the school, not just one or two features. Although this research is based on one faith-based school system, the findings may be utilised by other faith-based school systems in Australia to also enhance enrolments or retain current students.