“The First Class” takes an up-close and personal look at the founding class of Crosstown High in Memphis, one of the XQ schools across the nation showing us how to make high school more meaningful while preparing all students for the future.
Join Crosstown students on their journeys from 9th grade through the triumph of graduation as they imagine life on Mars, step into the lives of refugees, learn to think critically, and ultimately find themselves. This documentary inspires educators and communities to take a close look at the challenges facing students in their own high schools and to start the conversation about how they, too, can rethink learning for teachers and students.
For more about the film,
please visit thefirstclass.org
Lee Hirsch is known for creating change through his documentaries. His premiere film “Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony” was theatrically released to acclaim, winning the Audience Award at Sundance. Lee’s feature documentary “Bully” premiered at Tribeca and hit the national zeitgeist, igniting a viral call to action across the US to address the enduring damage of bullying in schools. “The First Class” is another call to action that prompts us to consider how our high school system can better prepare students for today’s rapidly changing world.
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking high school. Our young people are growing up at a time when the economy, the workforce, and the environment are changing rapidly. And high schools must respond. We help high schools become centers of innovative and rigorous learning, where every student is prepared to succeed in college, career, and life. Our free tools and products empower educators, communities, and policymakers to disrupt outdated systems by redesigning schools and transforming student learning to be more relevant and engaging. Our approach is guided by deep research, and powered by data and storytelling that inspire action. In partnership with a growing network of schools, districts, and states, we are advancing a movement that radically transforms the high school experience for young people everywhere.
