High School II
dir. Frederick Wiseman · 1994
Plot
HIGH SCHOOL II is a film about Central Park East Secondary School (CPESS), a successful alternative high school in New York's Spanish Harlem, 85-95% of whose graduates go on to four year colleges. The film illustrates the school's emphasis on the “Habits of Mind” program (weighing evidence; awareness of multiple points of view; seeing connections and relationships; speculating on possibilities; and assessing values.) Sequences illustrating the school's approach to learning include: classroom activities in the humanities and sciences; family conferences; discussions of race, class, and gender; faculty meetings; disciplinary problems; sex education; conflict resolution by students; and student council meetings.
Why watch
A group of students at Central Park East Secondary School engage in a heated discussion about their futures, weighing the importance of diverse perspectives and critical thinking. Watching this film feels like stepping into a vibrant classroom where every voice matters, and the complexities of adolescence are explored through the lens of an innovative educational philosophy.
Talking points
- the role of education in personal development
- the impact of community on student success
- race and class in educational settings
- alternative education models