Janet Mino has taught her class of students with autism for four years. When they graduate in spring 2012, they will leave the security of the public school system forever. BEST KEPT SECRET follows them the year before graduation. The clock is ticking to find them a place in the adult world, so they do not end up where their predecessors have, sitting at home, institutionalized, or on the streets.

A year in the lives of two inspirational teachers in the only primary-age boarding school in Ireland. Headfort School is a revered institution that sees students attend from all over the world. Married teaching duo John and Amanda Leyden have sat at the front of Headfort's classrooms for 46 years. For John, rock music is just another subject alongside Math, English, Scripture, and Latin. For Amanda, the key to connecting with children is through books,...

In the small town of Little Falls, New Jersey the 262nd free school opens its doors for the fall semester. The school is run by ambitious director Alex Khost, whose idealism of a new education system is tested by a defiant student, determined to upend the rules and possibly the school itself. APPROACHING THE ELEPHANT captures the volatilizing energy that builds through this turbulent first year. Nominated for a **Film Independent Spirit Award** Truer...

This playlist includes the feature documentary and 10min short (filmed at the Center School with Elaine Schwartz, principal) One year in a startlingly upbeat public middle school in New York City where 5th-8th graders are mixed in almost all classes, and somehow it actually works. Featuring unprecedented observational footage and unfiltered commentary from students about the joy and complexity of being 10-14 years old. “A novel and extraordinary...

What does it take to change a child's life? Set against the backdrop of a Britain rife with debates around class, identity, and social mobility, H IS FOR HARRY follows 11-year-old Harry as he starts at a brand new school in suburban London unable to read or write. For the next two years, Harry fights to improve academically and slowly begins to believe in a different future for himself. This intimate portrayal of one charismatic boy's journey towards...

MY NAME IS PEDRO is an essential and timely reminder of the importance of great educators that exist within the infrastructure of our country's public education system. This award-winning film, from first time director Lillian LaSalle, explores the seemingly impossible journey of South Bronx Latino educator and maverick, Pedro Santana, a former "special ed" student, whose mantra is - every kid can learn despite their circumstances. . A New York Times...

Featuring the founder of Body Mind Centering™, Occupational Therapist Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen, along with other leading movement development experts who discuss and demonstrate the physical, emotional and cognitive importance of the developmental movement babies engage in their first year. This film’s innovative imagery and case studies demonstrate ways to help babies with physical challenges Helps parents and caregivers understand an infant's...

The challenges of the present, expectations for the future, and the dreams of those who experience the reality of public high school in Brazil. Through the voices of students, principals, teachers and experts, “NOT EVEN IN A WILDEST DREAM” offers a reflection on the value of education.

INTELLIGENT LIVES stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional personal story of his son Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of...

STARTING AT ZERO: REIMAGINING EDUCATION IN AMERICA explores the power of investing in high-quality early childhood education so that all children and families have the opportunity to attain the American Dream. Starting at Zero examines the latest developmental brain science to demonstrate how essential the earliest years of learning are to maximize human potential. Key features of high-quality early childhood learning environments and experiences...