Coastal schools dominate top scores in the 9th grade while public schools lag behind

The final exam results for 9th-grade students in Portugal showed a decline, particularly in public schools, with a significant number of failing grades. The average score dropped from 2.91 to 2.87, with only 25.2% of schools achieving a positive average. Private schools performed better, with 82% achieving positive results. The top-performing institutions are concentrated in coastal urban areas, with the highest average belonging to a private college in Faro. Public schools with better results are also located in major urban centers, while those with the lowest scores are primarily in poorer regions. Socioeconomic status significantly impacts academic performance, especially in Mathematics, with disadvantaged students scoring lower. Despite lower exam scores, more students are completing the 3rd cycle without failing.