Unveiling narratives: A systematic literature review on the K–12 schooling experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities are often racialized through stereotypes like the model minority myth, which oversimplifies and obscures the unique challenges these students face in schools. Using AsianCrit and TribalCrit frameworks, we critically examine two decades of empirical research on AANHPI students’ schooling experiences in the United States, analyzing 61 peer-reviewed articles. Drawing on the themes identified in our review, we discuss the findings across five core areas: duality in schooling experiences, struggles with racial and ethnic identity, the influential role of schools and educators, the distinct challenges faced by NHPI students, and the diverse experiences within AANHPI. The findings illuminate the heterogeneity and complexity of AANHPI students’ schooling experiences, highlighting variations based on ethnicity and race, and struggles resulting from imposed racialization. This review advocates for critical research and professional development initiatives that address their complex identities and confront systemic inequities, working toward a more equitable educational landscape. Copyright © 2025 The Author(s).