The article investigates types and practices of social distinction based on the praxeologic view of documentary reconstructions on interviews and group discussions with 10- to 13-year-old students in Brazil and Germany. Thus, social distinction is understood as principles of the placement and relation of oneself and others within society. The findings presented in this paper indicate educational institutions to provide possibilities of building communities and milieus. Related to selfplacements of students within the national school structure, founding myths of the educational system work as important types of social distinction.