School and class segregation in Portugal: The role of academic and socioeconomic backgrounds

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Abstract

We examine segregation of low-achieving, immigrant, and low-socioeconomic status students (grades 1–12), across 5,000 Portuguese public schools in all 278 mainland municipalities, over a decade (2006/07-2016/17). The density-corrected dissimilarity index is used to assess school-segregation within municipalities and class-segregation within schools, the latter a segregation dimension under-explored in the literature. School-segregation was mild and stable but higher in primary education, reflecting small school-catchment-areas and residential patterns. Class-segregation was similarly mild and stable, though more pronounced in upper-secondary education–especially for low-achievers–likely due to academic tracking. The study highlights how school choice and tracking shape segregation patterns.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of School Choice
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

  • class
  • immigrant
  • low-achiever
  • school
  • segregation
  • SES

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