Catholic elementary school principal perceptions on enrollment and professional development: A mixed methods stud

This study used a mixed methods approach to inquire into what supports and what hinders Catholic elementary school principal efforts to maintain and grow enrollment. It also studied the professional development of these same principals in the area of finances. The study included survey responses from 25 principals in California and interviews with four principals. Later, a five-question email was sent to principals who completed the survey to gather more information. The study found the four top items that support enrollment efforts included Catholic identity, parent involvement, marketing plan and word of mouth. Schools that did not run at a deficit made word of mouth or reputation one of their top three items supporting enrollment twice as often as schools that ran at a deficit. Majority-White schools were less likely to run at a deficit and more likely to count word of mouth and reputation as a top item supporting enrollment efforts. The top items principals indicated that created barriers to their efforts to maintain and increase enrollment were that tuition was too high, a lack of facilities and space, a lack of specialty programs, a lack of pastor support and the need for more tuition assistance. About 66% of these principals received professional development rarely or never received professional development in the area of finances. It was found new principals learned finances by trial and error, and training in creating and monitoring budgets was most needed by new principals.