''The Providence Effect'' is a 2009 documentary film directed by

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about the transformation of the Chicago K-12 public school Providence St. Mel from a typical "

inner city The term ''inner city'' has been used, especially in the United States, as a euphemism for majority-minority lower-income residential districts that often refer to rundown neighborhoods, in a downtown or city centre area. Sociologists some ...

" school to a top tier institution. It had its world premier at the

Dawn Breakers International Film Festival Dawn Breakers International Film Festival (DBIFF) was an international travelling film festival held in various cities throughout the world from 2007-2015. The festival debuted in Phoenix, Arizona and was later held in San Diego, Houston and Zuri ...

in Zurich.

Background

This documentary was made to promote discussion and interest in school reform. Tom Hurvis has been a long-time sponsor of scholarships and internships for inner city youth. The current strengths of Providence St. Mel, its curriculum, its success, and its discipline, are seen as anomalies when compared to typical inner city schools. In a neighborhood plagued by gangs drugs, and high-crime the school emerged as premiere preparatory school - one that sent 100 percent of its students to college for 30 consecutive years. with half of the graduates passing first-tier, and even Ivy League schools. When Hurvis discovered Providence St. Mel, he was inspired to create the documentary.

Synopsis

''The Providence Effect'' is a film about Paul Adams III and the inner city Chicago school he founded and brought to prominence. Formerly a private Catholic school scheduled to be closed, Providence St. Mel has become a private school with rigorous educational standards and expectations. The film documents how the school sets and encourages those goals for students.http://www.psm.k12.il.us/about_us.shtml The school's achievements, including how they were achieved, were outlined and supported by a series of testimonials from educators, community figures, and national leaders. The documentary also depicted how its school president, Paul Adams III, was able to introduce a model that gave both poor and wealthy students the same opportunities. The idea was that inner-city black and Hispanic children can compete with anyone on an intellectual level given access to equal academic opportunities. With this view, Adams transformed the school from an institution facing closure by the Archdiocese of Chicago to a private school through an aggressive fundraising campaign.

Awards and nominations

*2009, Official Selection, International Premier

*2009, Winner, "Best Documentary".

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*2009, Winner, "Most Inspirational Documentary", Seattle True Independent Film Festival *2009, Winner, "Audience Choice Best Documentary", Lake County Film Festival

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Providence Effect, The 2009 documentary films 2009 films American documentary films Documentary films about education in the United States Documentary films about Chicago Education in Chicago 2000s English-language films 2000s American films English-language documentary films