"A personal look into the lives of a handful of...instantly likable characters...you leave the film with an appreciation of the immense challenges faced by inner-city educators. The New Public doesn’t provide and answer, but it looks at how one imperfect solution has succeeded and failed in the face of imposisble odds."   -  DAVID ACCAMAZZO, BOULDER WEEKLY      

   “Any prospective teacher, and most especially someone who’s thinking of teaching in a new small high school should see this film.”   - NORM FRUCHTER, ANNENBERG INSTITUTE FOR SCHOOL REFORM     

            

"In an age of rancorous debate over the fate of our schools, The New Public artfully

reminds us of the core tenets of public education; trust, service, relationships and

an unwavering commitment to the needs of students, families and communities." 

                                     -  JOSEPH BISHOP, SCHOTT FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION      

“A powerful and important film, uniquely documents the reality of urban schools...without reifying stereotypical images of urban education. It is both a well-crafted and emotionally gripping American story and an invaluable learning tool for potential and practicing educators everywhere."    -  ANAND R. MARRI, PH.D.,  TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

        

      

            

 

“The New Public is exceptional in contrasting the principles of a community and the effort of

reaching out to students and offering a system of hope for their future... It is as ambitious and brave as the people who began the small school...”     - EXAMINER.COM

  - HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“Setting aside political debates over school funding and philosophy to examine one school’s real world experience, The New Public...is a fine addition to the larger conversation and has theatrical appeal.”

“I loved the film. It truly shows the reality (both the wonderful and the infuriating aspects) of what  it's like to teach and learn in many public schools.  As a former teacher the struggles  of the educators really hit home for me."      

- ANNA LEE, WORKING FILMS

“The New Public is powerful...the small victories and

crushing defeats that play out in such a Herculean task are dramatically presented...”         

EAST HAMPTON STAR

“The New Public is a 3 tissue film! It is unlike any

education film i have seen before...as honest as

it  is inspiring.  An important, human story.  

An American story.  A must-see...”

  - KATHERINE CHEW,  BROOKLYN FREE SCHOOL

it’s bigger than school.

SCREENING TODAY & TOMORROW @3PM

SF DOC FILM FEST June 13th-16th, 2013

SYNOPSIS

In fall 2006, former DJ, point guard and educator turned first-time principal James O’Brien opened a public high school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where 1/3 of residents live below the poverty line and the graduation rate is 40%.

With infectious optimism and die-hard enthusiasm, O’Brien and his staff of eight undertook a new and unconventional approach––emphasizing strong individual support and inquiry-based instruction with a focus on arts and media. Initially, the buzz from the community was that this was a dream come true. But conflicts arose when old realities surfaced.

Filmed over four years, The New Public follows the journey of students, parents and educators striving to reconcile idealism with reality and make a difference in the futures of young people whose lives are stark representations of our country’s education and opportunity gaps. 

Through the prism of one inner-city public school, we witness complexities faced by urban public schools and communities everywhere.

We are currently building outreach funds.

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