The controversy over the advantages of Freinet pedagogy has persisted for decades in terms of both the added value of socio-educational environment and level of academic proficiency. Our study carried out in the communal public school system of the city of Liège (Belgium), where more than 1500 pupils are enrolled in Freinet schools (14% of the school population) shows that at equivalent socio-economic level, pupils of Freinet schools obtain performance levels in French, maths and early-learning studies similar to those of traditional schools, but are distinguished by their systematically more positive statements in their socio-educational environment.