School Choice and the Urban Neighbourhood: Segregation Processes in the German Primary Sector with Special Reference to Private Schools

Abstract

Segregation in schools and educational inequality can be caused by various issues: stratification of the school system, gender, ethnicity and social status related with personal resources like social networks, time, money, information, cultural preferences and their influence in decision making and school choice. But segregation in schools is deeply connected with neighbourhoods and the place of residence as well. Segregation practices and school choice decisions especially by middle class parents are linked to neighbourhood effects, the housing market, or spatial and socio-spatial opportunities.