Providing academic opportunities to vulnerable adolescents: a randomised evaluation of privately managed tuition-free middle schools in Uruguay

ABSTRACT We conducted a randomised evaluation of three privately managed middle schools in Uruguay aimed at providing education opportunities to adolescents from low income socioeconomic status. At 3-year follow-up, treatment students fare better in terms of academic promotion and school retention. Students in treatment schools present also better mental health, as represented by lower rates of internalising behaviours and social problems than students in the control group. Our findings suggest that a culture of high expectations, a caring and disciplined school climate, and parental involvement in school could account for some of the observed differences in academic trajectories and mental health.