From Location to Collusion - The Heterogeneous Ways in Which Private Schools Navigate the Educational Marketplace

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by dawugda

The non-subsidized private school sector is a privileged setting for testing market-theory claims. Unlike quasi-markets with publicly financed private schools, Chile’s fully private sector functions as a “purer market,” assuming competitive price formation, permitted profit, and fewer regulatory constraints on competitive action. Interviews with 32 headteachers identify a typology of schools based on competition perceptions and a range of strategies (location, market scanning, marketing, differentiation, and pricing). These responses emphasize symbolic rather than primarily pedagogical concerns, with higher sophistication and a more business-oriented approach than quasi-market contexts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Research focus

Methods and sample

Findings: typology and strategies

Interpretation and implications

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Arizona State University | | --- | --- | | Volume 33 Number 51 August 26, 2025 ISSN 1068-2341 | | From Location to Collusion: The Heterogeneous Ways in Which Private Schools Navigate the Educational Marketplace1 Gabriel Gutiérrez Faculty of Education, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Chile Macarena Hernández Centro de Justicia Educacional, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Chile & Lya Rogers-Cerda Centro de Justicia Educacional, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Chile Citation: Gutiérrez, G., Hernández, M. & Rogers-Cerda, L. (2025) . From location to collusion: The heterogeneous ways in which private schools navigate the educational marketplace. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 33(51). [ttps://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.33.9056](ttps://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.33.9056) Abstract: The non-subsidized private school sector is a privileged landscape for assessing market theories’ promises and assumptions. Unlike quasi markets with public-financed private schools, the fully private sector is a “purer market,” where the price is expected to be determined by competitive dynamics, profit is allowed, and fewer regulations mold the schools’ competitive actions. Drawing on interviews with 32 headteachers, we explore the competitive strategies private schools adopt in Chile to contribute to the discussion 1 This article was funded by ANID FONDECYT N°11230876 and ANID PIA CIE160007 . regarding the rationale of market-oriented policies and critically examine its limits. Our findings identify a typology of schools based on perceptions of competition and a broad set of competitive responses, including location decisions, market scanning, marketing, differentiation, and pricing tactics to attract and retain students. These practices focus not primarily on pedagogical issues but on symbolic aspects. Although some strategies mirror those observed in quasi-markets, they are distinguished by greater sophistication and a more business-oriented approach. Keywords: educational markets; privatization; school competition; elite education De la ubicación a la colusión: Las diversas formas en que las escuelas privadas navegan el mercado educativo Resumen: El sector de escuelas privadas no subvencionadas constituye un terreno privilegiado para evaluar las promesas y supuestos de las teorías de mercado. A diferencia delos cuasimercados con escuelas privadas financiadas públicamente, este sector completamente privado opera como un “mercado más puro”, donde se espera que los precios se determinen por dinámicas competitivas, se permite el lucro y existen menos regulaciones que condicionen las acciones competitivas de las escuelas. A partir de entrevistas con 32 directores y directoras, exploramos las estrategias competitivas adoptadaspor las escuelas privadas en Chile, con el fin de aportar a la discusión sobre la lógica de las políticas orientadas al mercado y examinar críticamente sus límites. Nuestros hallazgos permiten identificar una tipología de escuelas según sus percepciones de la competencia, así como un amplio repertorio de respuestas competitivas que incluyen decisiones delocalización, exploración de mercado, marketing, diferenciación y tácticas de precios para atraer y retener estudiantes. Estas prácticas se enfocan no principalmente en aspectos pedagógicos, sino en dimensiones simbólicas. Aunque algunas estrategias reflejan las observadas en cuasimercados, se distinguen por una mayor sofisticación y un enfoque másempresarial. Palabras-clave: mercados educativos; privatización; competencia escolar; educación de élite Da localização à colusão: As diversas formas pelas quais as escolas privadas navegamno mercado educacional Resumo: O setor de escolas privadas não subsidiadas constitui um cenário privilegiado para avaliar as promessas e pressupostos das teorias de mercado. Ao contrár

FAQs

What does the study consider the “non-subsidized private school sector” to be for research purposes?

It is treated as a privileged landscape for assessing market theory promises and assumptions, especially where a “purer market” logic is expected.

How does the paper distinguish the fully private sector from quasi-markets?

The fully private sector is described as allowing profit, having fewer regulations shaping competition, and relying on competitive dynamics for price formation.

What competitive strategies do private schools in Chile adopt according to the findings?

The study reports strategies covering location decisions, market scanning, marketing, differentiation, and pricing tactics to attract and retain students.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by dawugda