Exploring the Sources of Success for Refugee Students With High Academic Performance: Experiences at Two High Schools in Southeast Turkey

Abstract

There is considerable literature on the challenges of refugee students, including the low performance of refugee students. However, we also know that some refugee students, although very few, show high performance in schools, and the achievements of these students are often overlooked. Intending to this gap in knowledge, therefore this qualitative phenomenological study, aims at exploring the possible sources behind the success of refugee students with high academic performance by using the opinions of school administrators, teachers, and students, triangulated with school observations. Findings indicate that the inclusive school environment, individual characteristics, family, and community-based engagement play a significant role in the emergence of this high academic. performance. Further conclusions and implications for education stakeholders tending to refugee academic performance are fully discussed.