Community Involvement in School: Social Relationships in a Bedroom Community

This qualitative case study describes how community involvement in school is influenced by the social relationships existing or lacking within a bedroom community. Thirty-five interviews with school council members, teachers, and community members highlighted that community involvement in school generated social connections between educators, parents, and community members, while the proximity of the city negatively influenced the community's social cohesion. Theoretically, enhancing the bonding and bridging forms of social capital fosters trust, which further increases levels of community involvement in school. An implications is that community involvement in school is a springboard for developing additional forms of community involvement in school.