The appearance of equity in understandings of academic excellence

The aim of this empirical study was to deepen understandings of academic excellence as it is conceptualized by high achieving secondary school students (n = 22), their parents (n = 20) and teachers (n = 19). Two primary themes emerged from the interviews. Unsurprisingly for this group of participants, one of these was the traditional understanding of outstanding scholastic achievement. Less expected was another strong theme, of academic excellence as personal best achievement. The latter finding, with implications for equity, is an understanding of academic excellence accessible to all students.