This study investigates what parents have at the back of their minds when they choose particular primary schools for their children. The investigation starts with presentation of the historical background of primary school progress in Cameroon from the pre-colonial era through the colonial era and post colonial era. Existing literature was reviewed with the aim of identifying the existing gaps and then investigating in detail the various factors that come into play while parents make primary school choice in the North West region of Cameroon with particular reference to Kumbo and Nkum subdivisions. Qualitative research approach is used in the research work with the aim of getting in-depth verbal and thick descriptions of personal perspectives and experiences of parents regarding primary school choices they make for their children. Rational choice theory is applied in the analysis of the findings. The research findings and analysis reveal that parental choice of primary schools remains a more complex issue than international literature; especially studies about the developed world tend to present. International literature paints the general picture that parents rely so much on test scores performance of various schools. Quality education is defined in terms of test scores which turn to push parents to choose schools with very high test scores for their kids. This study reveals that there is more to quality of education than just test scores. As such parents choose primary schools not simply because they want their kids to perform well in tests but rather they choose schools that will provide their kids with integral development that takes care of the intellectual, moral, religious and physical welfare of their kids. The study ends with recommendations that the various governments need to work hand in hand with private operators of primary schools, through subsidies which can enable parents to have access to the kind of quality of education they desire. Partnership between the government and the private sector may give parents a better and wider range of choice since the government alone may not be able to provide the best schools that make for quality education.