In this study, we explored gender differences in students’ perceptions of fairness in two southwestern schools. In particular, we surveyed 358 students in a junior high and 373 in a high school and examined how males and females differed with respect to how they perceived the fairness of their school and classes. Results suggest that gender differences in students’ perceptions of fairness were pervasive. Specifically, in the high school, females more frequently than males reported they felt their school was fair in terms of personal experiences. In contrast, females in the junior high school more frequently than males reported their school was fair in terms of SES and ethnicity differences. Data suggest that some schools may create an environment in which peer norms support school achievement. We predict that students’ perceptions of fairness mediate students outcomes within a classroom context; however, more research is needed to explicitly examine how fairness mediates students’ sense of community and academic performance.
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