A Literature Review of Academic Performance, an Insight into Factors and their Influences on Academic Outcomes of Students at Senior High Schools

The good academic performance of students at the Senior High School is of paramount importance in every educational system. Meanwhile, numerous factors influence the academic performance of students and have been researched, but many problems persist. A literature review in this area would provide the gaps and areas that need more research and will go a long way to curb the situation. The current paper used a narrative review method to review the literature on the academic performance of students at Senior High Schools and various factors affecting students’ performance. The paper elucidated how these factors negatively affect academic performance and the need for them to be minimized to improve students’ academic performance. The study found out that, truancy affects academic performance drastically and sometimes even leads to school dropout. Also, the study found out that other factors such as students’ parental levels of education and income, textbooks availability and accessibility, libraries, practical laboratory, meals provision and teachers have tremendous effects on the academic performance of students at school. Students who are above average academically and are positively exposed to these factors are likely to perform better as compared to those who are less exposed to these factors. The study recommends that factors such as truancy, parental levels of education and income, textbooks availability and accessibility, libraries, practical laboratory, meals provision and teachers should be regularly monitored and adjusted to meet students’ needs and aspirations. This will go a long way to improve the academic performance of students and hence allow them to achieve their aims in life.