Filmmaker Statement

Most of us remember our middle school days as alternately stressful and boring, so I was amazed when I realized that my son was having possibly the most important emotional and intellectual education of his life, at this school – which inspired me to want to know more. Ultimately, I was embedded in the school as a one-woman filmmaker for an entire year. Being there day in and day out was an eye-opening experience, for what it means to be an early adolescent and what it means to be a middle school teacher.

I built relationships with students and teachers that led to exceptional access, rare observational footage of social encounters and academic classes, as well as a wealth of surprisingly candid interviews. There are no other current documentaries filmed entirely inside a middle school. This is a singular and special window onto a world that adults almost never see.

I am excited for people to get a peek into the secret lives of 10-14 year olds at school, and have their minds a little blown by how the Center School so joyfully flies against educational convention and succeeds.

— Camilla Calamandrei, New York City