Social Status Differences and Educational Involvement (in the Case of Selective Moscow Schools)

This research project is intended to cover the issues of specific status cultures and education inequality among students of specialized schools in Moscow. Though the problem of educational inequality seems to be a common problem for academic research – there are numerous theoretical approaches and empirical papers on the topic – it still seems to be challenging for scholars. This study considers the modern Russian educational system with its system of specialized schools, including lycees and gymnasiums. In order to shed light on the problem of educational inequality we go further and raise broader questions. By focusing on the best schools of Moscow that provide highest Unified State Examination scores and university enrollment in this research we aim to understand their best practices including informal aspects like the construction of so-called “elite school” status culture. This thesis includes actual problem statement, description of methodology, as well as anticipated results and conclusion.