What difficulties does Starr face at school?

Starr’s experiences at school leave her feeling as if she cannot be herself, as if she always has to pretend to be someone she’s not. Starr censors herself, goes out of her way to fit in, and always feels as if her background separates her from Hailey and Maya. As a result, she constantly holds back fundamental parts of her personality in fear of estranging herself from her wealthier, non-black peers.