276 U ruguay has implemented new regulations on alcohol distribution with the aim of re- ducing its high rates of adolescent alcohol consumption. 1 With estimates of the prevalence of recent (last 30 days) alcohol consumption for Uruguayan youth ranging from 40% to 60%, al- cohol is unquestionably the substance of choice when compared to rates of recent use of marijuana (17%) and tobacco (15%). 2 Tese high rates are of great concern because alcohol use has been linked with poor academic performance, suicidal ideation, delinquency, risky sexual activity, and later alcohol and drug abuse or dependence. 3-5 School connectedness, high educational aspira- tions, and academic performance have been shown in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and Australia to play a critical role in the promotion of adolescents’ success and wellbeing and to have a protective efect against adolescent alcohol use. 6-10 In Latin American countries, however, the quality of education is frequently rated as sub-standard, placing youth at higher risk for alcohol use than in more developed economies. 11 It is also unknown if educational factors exert protection against ado- lescents’ alcohol use in countries such as Uruguay. Although Uruguay has the largest proportion of middle-class families in the Americas (60%) and occupies the top spot in the region on various mea- sures of well-being, it has one of the highest alcohol use rates among its youth. 12 Flavio F. Marsiglia, Director, Global Center for Applied Health Research, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ. David Alarcón-Rubio, Assistant Professor, Departamento de Antropología Social, Psicología Básica y Salud Pública, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, España. Elizabeth Kiehne, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO. Stephanie L. Ayers, Associate Director of Research, Global Center for Applied Health Research, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ. Stephen S. Kulis, PhD, Director of Research, Global Center for Applied Health Research, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ. Correspondence Dr Marsiglia; marsiglia@asu.edu School Connectedness, Educational Aspirations, Academic Performance, and Alcohol Use in Uruguay Flavio F. Marsiglia, PhD David Alarcón-Rubio, PhD Elizabeth Kiehne, PhD Stephanie L. Ayers, PhD Stephen S. Kulis, PhD Objective: In this study, we explored diferences in alcohol use among students attending pub- lic versus privately managed tuition-free middle schools in a low-income district of Montevideo, Uruguay. Methods: Participants were 353 7 th grade students from 2 public and 2 privately man- aged schools. Data come from pre-surveys of students participating in a substance use preven- tion program. A mediation path model tested the relationship between school type and alcohol use as mediated through school connectedness, educational aspirations, and academic perfor- mance. Results: Main fndings showed students attending privately managed schools reported stronger school connectedness and higher educational aspirations, which is associated with a lower frequency of alcohol use. Academic performance was not associated with school type or alcohol use. Conclusions: The fndings lead to specifc practice, policy, and research implications for communities in Uruguay and other similar contexts. Key words: educational aspirations; alcohol use; school connectedness; middle school; Uruguay Health Behav Policy Rev.™ 2019;6(3):276-285 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.6.3.7