School Enrollment

Most have certainly heard of the unfortunate and troubling trend in Catholic schools across the nation as enrollment numbers are declining or stagnate. The Diocese of Phoenix has been blessed to be holding their own, but still we as board members are constantly presented with information and opportunities that we can share to not only help retain existing families (an economic savings to our schools) but also recruit new families.  Please share with us what your school community is doing to insure the bright future of Catholic education by clicking on "Comments" below.

Recruiting Ideas

• Be a story-teller for your school: share positive and encouraging stories about faculty, students and alumni. 

• Celebrate your students, parents and colleagues: the opportunities abound with ways we can lift up those in our community, in what ways do you celebrate your school.

• Welcome visitors on campus: Don’t just smile! Stop and make a point to introduce yourself and welcome them, encourage them to contact you with questions...invite them to join your school community!

• Focus on retaining students and families in your sphere of influence: Do you make it a focus to use your gifts to help properly direct concerns and questions to administration and to encourage existing families to remain part of the school community?

• Exceptional customer service can help your school standout: Treat your families with care, make fun and engaging activities to show them how much they are appreciated.

• Families are more likely to remain enrolled when they are connected to groups within your school community. How do you make the most of this?

• One of the most important things for retention is to COMMUNICATE!  Communicate your school brand, your successes, your alumni, your service outreach...How are you doing with communication?

• Ask families to identify others in their church or neighborhood who may like to know about the good works at your school and then follow up.

• Survey new families about why they chose your school and use this in recruitment.