The most important factor conditioning school achievements is the economic and social status of the student’s family of origin. This has been confirmed many times by Polish and international studies, although the socio-economic status was described by various determinants. According to the theory of cultural capital P. Bordieu, the family is that which equips the child with various language and cultural competences that can be developed in the education process at various levels. However, the learning outcomes (in the form of grades and results of exams) are determined not only by family and environmental elements, but also by the organization of the school itself. An important role is also played by the teacher’s person, his methodological and substantive competences, as well as the ability to recognize the student’s potential and his characteristics conditioning the results achieved.