The intersection between congruence and diversity in schools: implications for fitting in

This study investigated whether ethnic congruence – that is, the share of co-ethnics at school - and ethnic school diversity are associated with number of friendships and sense of belonging. Furthermore, we studied differences between ethnic majority and minority students. Multilevel analyses of data (2004-2005) from 11,759 students across 83 Flemish secondary schools show that higher ethnic diversity associated with higher belonging and a higher number of friends, be it only for ethnic minority students. This effect was mediated by ethnic congruence: minority students are more likely to meet co-ethnics in more ethnically diverse schools, which invokes a higher sense of belonging and more friends. We conclude that ethnic diversity and congruence need not necessarily be each other’s opposites