Brockton Preparatory School: A Case Study on Educational Leadership in the Establishment and Sustaining of a Private, Nonprofit, University Preparatory School in North Vancouver, British Columbia
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2013-07-31
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The following is a single case study that looked at the establishment and sustainment of Brockton Preparatory School, a private, nonprofit, university preparatory school in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Within a constructivist paradigm, this study utilized a qualitative approach within case study methodology. The unit of analysis was a single bounded case limited to Brockton Preparatory School. Interviews were conducted with 26 educational leaders who were involved in the establishment and sustainment of this organization from 2004 to 2012. Participants included current and previous educational administrators, Board Directors, parents, faculty, and staff. School documentation was analyzed to assist in examining convergent lines of inquiry. Interviews were conducted to explore how and why educational leaders were successful in the establishment and sustainment of Brockton Preparatory School. This study used the work of Bloomberg and Volpe (2008) to assist in the development of a conceptual framework that focused on the data analysis process. This conceptual framework helped to determine the themes that emerged in the study by establishing initial categories that directly related to the research questions, with descriptors based both on reviewed literature as well as my own observations and conceptualizations. The findings suggested that the establishment and sustainment of Brockton Preparatory School was achieved through a dedicated and intense educational entrepreneurial effort primarily attributed to: (a) the high levels of parent leadership demonstrated throughout the foundation and sustainment years; (b) the success of the school’s founders in being able to offer an enhanced learning experience; (c) the sustained and high level of overall teacher, administrative, volunteer, and parent leadership; (d) the sustained ability on the part of the school governors and administrators to successfully maintain a high level of resource and human capital efficiency; and finally, (e) a high level of commitment demonstrated towards the establishment of the endeavour. The study concludes with the presentation of: (a) specific recommendations for educational entrepreneurs who are particularly interested in establishing a parent-based organization, and (b) a new parent-based educational entrepreneurship model. This study contributes to the emerging picture of educational entrepreneurship in the private, nonprofit K-12 realm.
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Cortina, A. P. (2013). Brockton Preparatory School: A Case Study on Educational Leadership in the Establishment and Sustaining of a Private, Nonprofit, University Preparatory School in North Vancouver, British Columbia (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25175