Date on Senior Honors Thesis

5-2025

Document Type

Senior Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.S.

Cooperating University

University of Louisville

Department

Geography and Geosciences

Degree Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Committee Chair

Zhang, Charlie

Committee Member

Hadizadeh, Jafar

Committee Member

Running, Mark

Author's Keywords

school enrollment disparities; spatial analysis; school choice; public school and private school; Louisville MSA; Atlanta MSA; Detroit MSA

Abstract

This thesis investigates the factors influencing school choice and enrollment patterns in three Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs): Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI; Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN; and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell. It explores the role of socioeconomic and spatial variables, including income levels, racial composition, and educational attainment, political fragmentation, and urbanicity in shaping enrollment decisions across public and private schools. Using spatial analysis and multiple regression techniques, the study examines how these factors contribute to variations in school enrollment within the selected MSAs. The results reveal that income level and racial composition significantly affect enrollment patterns while other factors such as urbanicity had minimal impact. This study underscores the importance of understanding local contextual factors when analyzing school choice and provides insights into the broader implications for educational policy and future research on urban school systems.

Lay Summary

Children do not think about the factors that influence their position in the classroom or why they attend the school they do. Although the school selection process can be one of the biggest decisions a parent makes, they, likewise, may not fully grasp the complexity of the factors involved in making this decision. Private or public-school choices are seen as the two main options parents choose between. This study looks at the relationship between different factors—such as income, racial composition, and education levels—and how these factors influence whether families choose public or private schools. By studying three metropolitan areas—Detroit, Louisville, and Atlanta—this research aims to understand how these factors affect enrollment trends and whether patterns differ across urban areas. This study highlights the complexity of school enrollment decisions and the need for policymakers to consider local contexts when developing education policies.

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