School as a site of student social capital: An exploratory study from Brazil

► A framework of student social capital is conceptualized in three domains: Relationship, Resource, and Readiness. ► Empirical study of an urban high school in Brazil shows how schools act as sites of student social capital formation. ► The social capital processes and outcomes are differentiated; i.e. they vary by student backgrounds and attributes. ► Differentiated student social capital provides a rationale for integrating a social capital dimension in education quality.