The elite private schools in Greece

Despoina ValassiPhD candidate, University of CreteResearcher, National Centre of Social Research (EKKE)

Presentation's dilemmas to construct the research field of private education in Greece emphasizing on the history of the institutions and their changing relationship with the middle classes?

to treat all this as given and understood, and proceed to present the results of my research without historical background?

It was the title of the Conference itself It was the title of the Conference itself (Contemporary Greece and Cyprus) which (Contemporary Greece and Cyprus) which

resolved my dilemmaresolved my dilemma

Presentation's purpose

Some of the results of a study Some of the results of a study conducted using a sample of conducted using a sample of

private schools in Athens (the private schools in Athens (the research did also include some research did also include some

schools in Thessaloniki)schools in Thessaloniki)

Presentation's assumptions First, the schools in question represent a First, the schools in question represent a

significant factor in the educational strategies significant factor in the educational strategies of the middle and upper social classes in Greece; of the middle and upper social classes in Greece;

Second, these private schools is not socially Second, these private schools is not socially homogenous. The internal differentiation of elite homogenous. The internal differentiation of elite private schools separates the very top private private schools separates the very top private schools from the less prestigious ones schools from the less prestigious ones

Very top private schoolsVery top private schools = those used by the = those used by the social, economic and intellectual elite, the social, economic and intellectual elite, the country’s industrialists, businessmen and country’s industrialists, businessmen and executives in the private sector, academics etc.executives in the private sector, academics etc.Less prestigious private schoolsLess prestigious private schools = those used by = those used by merchants, middle-ranking executives, owners of merchants, middle-ranking executives, owners of small businesses, etc.).small businesses, etc.).

Presentation's structure Section 1:Section 1: Brief description of the field Brief description of the field of study in respect of elite private of study in respect of elite private schools.schools.

Section 2:Section 2: Research design, methodology, Research design, methodology, sample and research tools.sample and research tools.

Section 3:Section 3: Findings of the empirical Findings of the empirical research in relation to research in relation to a) the social characteristics of the a) the social characteristics of the families which choose to send their families which choose to send their children to elite private schools, andchildren to elite private schools, andb) the differentiations found within the b) the differentiations found within the elite private school sector.elite private school sector.

Section 1: Brief description of the field of study Thematic areasThematic areas

•• Private schools provide education of a Private schools provide education of a higher qualityhigher quality

•• Meritocracy and elite private schoolsMeritocracy and elite private schools•• Elite private schools as total Elite private schools as total institutionsinstitutions

•• Elite private schools and social elitesElite private schools and social elites•• The differentiating functions of elite The differentiating functions of elite private schoolsprivate schools

•• Elite private schools and the culture Elite private schools and the culture of the upper classesof the upper classes

•• Elite private schools and their alumniElite private schools and their alumni

Section 2: Research design, methodology, sample and research toolsThe study is divided in two parts. The study is divided in two parts. first part: pre-research first part: pre-research •• Interviews with alumni of private schools and with Interviews with alumni of private schools and with

teachersteachers•• Former administrators of private schoolsFormer administrators of private schools•• Collection of published material (mainly covering Collection of published material (mainly covering

history and stages in development) on each school, history and stages in development) on each school, as well as any printed material they produce as well as any printed material they produce (relating solely to the educational community of (relating solely to the educational community of each school)each school)

•• Description of school activities (educational, Description of school activities (educational, sporting, cultural, social, and so on)sporting, cultural, social, and so on)

second part: the main field research (tsecond part: the main field research (the field he field work took place during the school years 2005-2007)work took place during the school years 2005-2007)the completion of questionnaires (quantitative the completion of questionnaires (quantitative research) by students in the final class of the research) by students in the final class of the upper secondary education at a sample of private upper secondary education at a sample of private schools in Athens and Thessaloniki.schools in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Section 2: Research design, methodology, sample and research toolsCriteria of the research sample:Criteria of the research sample: year in which school was founded; year in which school was founded; systematic production of printed material on the school;systematic production of printed material on the school; religious or ideological tradition of school (e.g. religious or ideological tradition of school (e.g.

missionary schools); missionary schools); extra-curricular activities (sport, cultural); extra-curricular activities (sport, cultural); buildings and facilities; buildings and facilities; existence of alumni societies; existence of alumni societies; existence of other societies (cultural, scholarships, existence of other societies (cultural, scholarships,

etc.); etc.); provision of international educational programmes (GCE, provision of international educational programmes (GCE,

International Baccalaureate); International Baccalaureate); fees; fees; student participation in educational and sports student participation in educational and sports

programmes organized with other private schools programmes organized with other private schools (forensics, MUN, sports championships); (forensics, MUN, sports championships);

ceremonial occasions; ceremonial occasions; links with foreign stateslinks with foreign states

Section 2: Research design, methodology, sample and research tools

Sample: Sample: 18 private schools of Athens18 private schools of Athens 5 private school decline to take 5 private school decline to take part in the surveypart in the survey

Section 2: Research design, methodology, sample and research tools13 Athenian private schools allowed access:13 Athenian private schools allowed access: Athens College (HAEF)Athens College (HAEF) Psychico College (HAEF)Psychico College (HAEF) Pierce CollegePierce College Moraitis SchoolMoraitis School GeitonasGeitonas ZisidisZisidis PanagiotopoulosPanagiotopoulos St. PaulSt. Paul Jeanne D’ArcJeanne D’Arc Leonteios (Patissia)Leonteios (Patissia) Leonteios (N.Smyrni)Leonteios (N.Smyrni) Francohellenique (LFE)Francohellenique (LFE) Germaniki Sxoli (D.S.A.)Germaniki Sxoli (D.S.A.)

Section 2: Research design, methodology, sample and research tools

Research tool:Research tool:A questionnaire consisted of 75 questions and more than A questionnaire consisted of 75 questions and more than 250 variables250 variables

Sections of the questionnaire:Sections of the questionnaire: social and demographic data, social and demographic data, information on the factors leading to the choice of the information on the factors leading to the choice of the

particular school, particular school, study habits (e.g. time spent on homework, attendance at study habits (e.g. time spent on homework, attendance at

extra coaching schools), extra coaching schools), leisure activities and interests, leisure activities and interests, participation in extra-curricular activities, participation in extra-curricular activities, educational and professional aspirations, educational and professional aspirations, contacts with other countries. contacts with other countries.

1,003 questionnaires were collected, representing 98% of 1,003 questionnaires were collected, representing 98% of the students in the final class of these schools.the students in the final class of these schools.

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Factors:Factors: The district where the students The district where the students

livelive Their parents’ occupationsTheir parents’ occupations Their parents’ educational levelTheir parents’ educational level

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

The definition of the word The definition of the word ««eliteelite»»:: Used in the 17th century to describe items Used in the 17th century to describe items

of superior quality, and its use was of superior quality, and its use was subsequently extended to refer to social subsequently extended to refer to social groups enjoying superior status (military groups enjoying superior status (military associations of nobles or the aristocracy),associations of nobles or the aristocracy),

Group of individuals which occupies the Group of individuals which occupies the highest positions in a particular system of highest positions in a particular system of relationships, based on the allocation of relationships, based on the allocation of material and symbolic goods, according to material and symbolic goods, according to Bourdieu,Bourdieu,

Also, the system under examination occupies Also, the system under examination occupies the primary role in any social space (in the primary role in any social space (in this case, the educational sector).this case, the educational sector).

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Residential segregation and Residential segregation and educational strategies of middle educational strategies of middle

class families in Athensclass families in Athens

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Table 3.1: Residential Areas of the studentsTable 3.1: Residential Areas of the students

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Athens (central m unicipality) 186 18,5 19,0 North Suburbs 362 36,1 37,0 South Suburbs 237 23,6 24,2 W est Suburbs 30 3,0 3,1 East Suburbs 24 2,4 2,5 Piraeus 138 13,8 14,1

Elsewhere 2 ,2 ,2

Total 979 97,6 100,0

M issing

System 24 2,4

Total 1003 100,0

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Table 3.2: Residential Area TypologyTable 3.2: Residential Area Typology

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

New working class 7 ,7 ,7

Traditional working class areas 33 3,3 3,4

W orking class and lower m iddle class areas 142 14,2 14,5

Lower m iddle class areas 219 21,8 22,4

New m iddle class suburbs 79 7,9 8,1 Traditional m iddle class

suburds 308 30,7 31,5

Upper m iddle class suburbs 189 18,8 19,3

Total 977 97,4 100,0 M issing System 26 2,6

Total 1003 100,0

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Parents´ Occupational BackgroundParents´ Occupational Background

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Table 5a: Father's Occupational BackgroundTable 5a: Father's Occupational Background

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Arm ed forces 12 1,2 1,2

Legislators, senior officials and m anagers 425 42,4 43,5

Professionals 401 40,0 41,1 Technicians and associate

professionals 67 6,7 6,9

Clerks 37 3,7 3,8 Service workers, shop m arket

sales workers 2 ,2 ,2 Skilled workers 26 2,6 2,7

Plant and m achine operators and assem blers 5 ,5 ,5

Unskilled workers 1 ,1 ,1

Total 976 97,3 100,0

M issing System 27 2,7

Total 1003 100,0

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Table 5b: Mother’ s Occupational BackgroundTable 5b: Mother’ s Occupational Background

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Arm ed forces 1 ,1 ,1

Legislators, senior officials and m anagers 178 17,7 18,1

Professionals 425 42,4 43,3 Technicians and associate

professionals 45 4,5 4,6

Clerks 84 8,4 8,6 Service workers, shop m arket

sales workers 21 2,1 2,1 Skilled workers 5 ,5 ,5 Unskilled workers 2 ,2 ,2

Others 1 ,1 ,1 Non labor force 220 21,9 22,4

Total 982 97,9 100,0

M issing System 21 2,1

Total 1003 100,0

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Parents´ Educational BackgroundParents´ Educational Background

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

Table 4a. Educational background of students’ fathersTable 4a. Educational background of students’ fathers

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Less than Elem entary 5 ,5 ,5

Elem entary 15 1,5 1,5 Com pulsory 11 1,1 1,1 Secondary 143 14,3 14,4

Technological Institutes 66 6,6 6,7 Higher Education Degrees 448 44,7 45,2

M aster Degrees 161 16,1 16,2 Doctorate DLegrees 138 13,8 13,9

Other 4 ,4 ,4

Total 991 98,8 100,0

M issing System 12 1,2

Total 1003 100,0

Section 3: Findings of the empirical researchTable 4b: Educational Background of students’ mothersTable 4b: Educational Background of students’ mothers

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

No education 2 ,2 ,2

Less than Elem entary 1 ,1 ,1

Elem entary 2 ,2 ,2 Com pulsory 10 1,0 1,0

Secondary 217 21,6 21,9

Technological Institutes 84 8,4 8,5 Higher Education Degrees 470 46,9 47,4

M aster Degrees 120 12,0 12,1 Doctorate Degrees 85 8,5 8,6

Total 991 98,8 100,0

M issing System 12 1,2

Total 1003 100,0

Section 3: Findings of the empirical research

The ‘social space’ of the The ‘social space’ of the elite private elite private secondary secondary education in Greeceeducation in Greece

Dim ension 13210-1-2

Dimension

2

2

1

0

-1

-2

-3

Pierce College

St. PaulAthens College

Geitonas

Germ aniki Sxoli

Psihico College

Francohellenique

Ziridis

Leonteios N. Sm irni

Jeanne d' Arc

M oraitis School

Leonteios Patissia

Panagiotopoulos

Skilled W orkers

Services

Policem en

Clerks

Stockbroker

Officers

Social Services

Technicians

Artists

Judges

Doctors

Officials (public seOfficials (private s

Teacher (prim ary edu

Teacher (secondary e

Professora

Professionals

M id-level m anagers (

M id-level m anagers (

Executives (public s

Executives (private

Sm all Entreprices Ow

TradeBusinessm en

Diplom at

Politicians

Ph.D.

M aster

Higher Education

Technological Instit

Secondary

Com pulsory

Elem entary

Less than elem entary

SchoolFather's OccupationFather's education level

Variable Principal Norm alization.

Conclusions

Study of the Study of the residential areasresidential areas of the families provides of the families provides indirect evidence of their economic and social status and indirect evidence of their economic and social status and highlights the increasing segmentation and hierarchy of the highlights the increasing segmentation and hierarchy of the middle class as a result of residential mobilitymiddle class as a result of residential mobility

Based on Based on the analysis of the occupationsthe analysis of the occupations exercised by parents exercised by parents of children at our schools, we might maintain that these are of children at our schools, we might maintain that these are individuals enjoying considerable social power and prestige. individuals enjoying considerable social power and prestige. They are persons in occupations at the top of the They are persons in occupations at the top of the occupational hierarchy.occupational hierarchy.

The The high level of educationhigh level of education of parents choosing the elite of parents choosing the elite private schools for their children is directly linked with private schools for their children is directly linked with their position in the professional world. Families which are their position in the professional world. Families which are at the top of both educational and professional hierarchies at the top of both educational and professional hierarchies and which succeed in reproducing their social privileges and which succeed in reproducing their social privileges through the institutions of the elite private education.through the institutions of the elite private education.

The study of the The study of the internal differentiationinternal differentiation of elite private of elite private schools arise the hierarchical structure of this social space schools arise the hierarchical structure of this social space (more prestigious and less prestigious private schools)(more prestigious and less prestigious private schools)

Thank youThank you