How can schools help refugee children thrive academically while integrating into a new society? A Dutch study reveals a surprising trade-off: placing refugee children directly into mainstream schools may boost cultural assimilation but reduce secondary school graduation rates by seven percentage points. Separated schools, meanwhile, offer more specialised language teaching and tailored support.
These findings highlight the importance of balancing integration with individual learning needs. Combining early contact with native peers, targeted language support and opportunities for cultural exchange could help refugee children succeed both in the classroom and in their new communities.
