It is commonly known that education reproduces, rather than diminishes, social inequality, but how this takes place may vary between educational systems. This paper uses data from a unique longitudinal cross-national project to analyze differences in pathways through the upper years of secondary education between Bergen (Norway), Ghent (Flanders, Belgium) and Barcelona (Spain). Analyses show that social background has the greatest impact on destination in both Years 11 and 12 of upper secondary education, and engagement does not mediate this relationship. Further, we find more commonalities than differences between the cities, despite them representing different types of educational systems.