School Dropout in the Perspectives of Parents: Insights from a Qualitative Study in a Peripheral Neighbourhood in Milan

School dropout is a multidimensional and multifactorial phenomenon, influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors. Addressing this issue therefore urges a holistic, multidisciplinary and systemic approach, involving multiple stakeholders. In increasingly super-diverse educational contexts, a lack of effective communication and collaboration between schools and families often undermines the quality of young people’s educational experiences. This impact is particularly pronounced for vulnerable families with migratory backgrounds, whose children may face an ele-vated risk of dropout. The paper draws on the results of a study inside the AFIM 3867 project: Reinventing Citizenship: Paths of Empowerment for Networks and Social Groups in the San Siro Neighbourhood. The study explored families’ perspectives on their children’s schooling experiences, focusing on a specific secondary school in the San Siro neighbourhood of Milan, Italy. Data were collected through two focus groups and four in-depth interviews, involving a total of 36 parents. Thematic analysis of the data highlights parents’ perceptions of school dropout, school-family relationships, and intercultural dynamics.