Educational Trajectories and Academic Achievement from Primary to Secondary Education: A Systematic Review of Individual, Family, School, and Contextual Factors.

Educational trajectories developed by students throughout their schooling are shaped by experiences across multiple domains, where learning opportunities coexist with factors that may hinder academic achievement and the development of successful trajectories. The aim of this study was to analyze the personal, family, school, and contextual factors associated with educational trajectories and academic achievement among primary and secondary school students. A systematic review of the literature was conducted based on quantitative longitudinal studies published between 2022 and 2025 and identified through the Web of Science, Scopus, and Education Resources Information Center databases. The results indicate that educational trajectories linked to academic achievement tend to begin in primary education and show relative stability throughout secondary education, with variations over time associated with the interaction of individual, family, school, and contextual factors. These findings have practical implications for behaviorally informed interventions aimed at strengthening self-regulation, teacher support, socioemotional competencies, and family engagement to promote more equitable academic pathways. Overall, the evidence underscores the need to implement comprehensive and differentiated educational interventions articulated across multiple levels to reduce inequalities and foster sustainable academic development.