Customer Reviews

Accelerating America

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I was just browsing through titles looking for a new documentary to watch when the preview for Accelerating America looked good. The film follows three teens through a last chance school that provides urban youth with the opportunity to complete failed grades at a rapid pace - up to two per year. It shows the challenges most of us can't even begin to relate to but are very real obstacles for these young people. It's amazing to watch the staff at this school care so deeply for these kids who don't know how to care about themselves.
It's reminiscent of the real life Dangerous Minds. I thought it was a beautiful film and while it was painful to watch the hurt in these kids that was masked with anger it was uplifting to see how the Principle, Teachers and Counselor never gave up on any of them.
You won't be disappointed in this one.

Truth in advertising: I work for the school in this film. But please read on...

Anyone who cares about urban eduction in America should see this film. The filmmaker, Tim Hotchner, follows three kids over the course of a full school year. He captures compelling footage in school, in their homes, churches, and neighborhoods.

I've heard people say that people should pull themselves up by their own bookstraps. But what if you don't have boots, let alone bookstraps?! What if you're just a kid and your parents are struggling just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads?

After watching this documentary you will have a clear understanding of the challenges urban at-risk kids face, a much better idea just how amazing it is when any of these kids make it to high school graduation, and a profound appreciation of the effort it takes to get them there.

Not only is this a great film in its own right, but the topic is absolutely timely. Even President Obama is talking about the problem of kids dropping out out school. Money should not be an obstacle to creating more schools like this. Our future is in the hands of our youth. We must do all we can to help them succeed.

Accelerating America