The performance of pre-university educational institutions is reflected by the results that are achieved. These results largely depend on the quality of the educational process which should aim at creating favorable conditions for the progress of each student by providing educational programs that meet the needs of stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, employers, society, etc.). The quality of pre-university education takes into account the degree of effectiveness of the educational offer, the human, material and financial resources which are involved, the effects disseminated in the society. This paper presents quality as a defining element of school performance, factors and generating effects, ways to improve performance through a proper management of the educational system and process, but also through its adequate regulation at the national level and permanent adaptation of requirements of competencies in relation to the dynamics of the labor market, of the information technologies, of the evolution of the professions, etc.