Why do parents choose Catholic School?

As a parent who sends her kids to Catholic Schools, I am often amazed by the reasons some parents send their children to Catholic Schools. I admit that I have heard all kinds of stories as to why families come to our school or why they leave our school.  Yet, I still think there is a lot to learn about why families come to our schools.  If you google “why choose Catholic School” numerous links come up, many from dioceses across the country.  I did find this article interesting, even if it is from 2009. (http://catholiceducator.blogspot.com/2009/01/top-ten-reasons-to-choose-catholic.html)

You should start by asking the simple uestion: why are parents choosing your school?  Is it location, cost, better education? Once you know why they are choosing your school, you can use that information as a springboard to other tools to bring in families. 

When I went to Catholic high school, it was simply because that was where my father went to school. We didn’t need a reason.  No one asked me where I wanted to go to school, I was told where to go. Today we have many high schools, public, private and Catholic, that host eighth grade days to allow students to see what it's like to actually spend a day at the school. Students are a part of the decision-making process. What are we doing to appeal to those students and their parents?

There are families who don't need to be sold on Catholic Education. There are some families who see your school as a private school, and there are others who value the education and moral values that you provide. 

What drives families to your school?  What tools do you use to attract and retain students?