I think that regardless of home life, the school setting and education is sometimes the best possible thing for a child. The socialization theories that children follow after their parents don't always materialize in school. In my experience, especially in high school, kids tend to be more accepting. I went to a very diverse school and saw kids who were outcasts or "weirdos" as freshmen became part of the popular crowd by their senior year.

Anyway, if a child's ambition is nurtured, or their need for help is recognized early on, they can become just as successful as a middle or upper class child. It just depends on how attentive their school/teachers are I guess.