The solution of repeating a school grade when learners do not achieve required level of knowledge or skills has as many proponents as opponents. Numerous educational systems support a grade retention as the method of obtaining better learning outcomes. In the same time, others do not allow to repeat a school year and recommend automatic promotion. The growing problem of school failures, among them repeating a school grade or even dropouts, is still present in the academic discourse. This article presents the impact of school failures and its range from the point of view of learners attending Polish secondary school for adults.