An inspiring account of young people, parents, and school officials coming together to fight to stay open when their school is threatened with closure.

This film brings the viewer inside National Teachers Academy (NTA), located on Chicago’s Near South Side, a top-ranked elementary school that has fostered a culture of learning and community for its thriving population of mostly low-income and Black students.

The school’s educational philosophy teaches students to advocate for themselves outside of the classroom, and these students take that learning all the way to city hall.

“…the world premiere of a sensationally effective Chicago documentary tore the roof clean off three different theaters at the 2022 True/False Film Fest.” Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

“[the film]… cements Shaw’s status as a born filmmaker, with a camera that never intrudes upon the action while denying none of its subjects their inherent humanity.” Matt Fagerholm, Roger-Ebert.com

Awards and Nominations

SXSW EDU, Austin, USA 2022 – Official Selection
True/False Film Festival, Chicago, USA 2022 – Official Selection
Milwaukee International Film Festival, USA 2022 – Special Mention: Emerging Documentary Jury Award
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Durham, USA 2022 – Official Selection