Sucesso educativo: Representações sociais dos alunos de dois prestigiados colégios privados portugueses

Abstract

This article analyses representations of success shared by students at two prestigious private schools in Lisbon. It begins with a discussion of theoretical concepts of educational success, and then examines the multidimensional nature of this concept for the youths attending these schools. In addition to learning, these students refer to others, equally valued, dimensions of success, such as cultural, civic and social attainments. The article explores the influence of school socialization on representations of success, assessing the extent to which they reflect the ideal of a holistic education sought by both schools and the specific educational projects of each one. This article proposes a conceptualization of the idea of educational success from the perspective of the upper classes.