n the fall of 2005, important riots took place in the suburbs of Paris and other large French
cities. These events triggered a number of political responses, including which the “Internats
d’excellence” program. “Internats d’excellence” could be translated as “boarding schools
targeting excellence”. These schools are dedicated to motivated and relatively high ability
students in poor suburbs of large French cities. Policy makers were concerned that in those
suburbs, poor school quality, negative influences from peers, and bad studying conditions
at home could impair the academic success of motivated students. The school we study is
located in a rural area southeast of Paris. It was the first “Internat d’excellence” to open,
and it is also the largest of the 45 “Internats d’Excellence” now operating in France, with
an intake accounting for 10% of that of the 45-school program. It serves students from all
eastern parisian suburbs, the most deprived ones.