The children of immigration, here to stay, are the new Americans. How we fare in welcoming them will determine the nature of this country in the 21st century and beyond. The International High School is a New York City public school dedicated to serving newly arrived immigrant teenagers, with more than 300 students speaking two-dozen languages from 50 countries. The students strive to master English, adapt to families they haven't seen in years, confront the universal trials of adolescence, and search for a future they can claim as their own. In "I Learn America," five resilient immigrant teenagers come together over a year at the International High School at Lafayette and struggle to learn their new land. Through these five vibrant young people, their stories and struggles, and their willingness to open their lives and share them with us, we "learn America."
Direction
Fly-on-wall intimacy that never feels exploitative.
Editing
Weaves five arcs into one year without losing anyone.
Director
Jean-Michel Dissard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
International High School's model — no tracking by English proficiency, grade by portfolio — was considered radical in 2013 and remains controversial.
Shot during Obama's second term, the film captures a specific moment of immigration optimism that now reads almost as historical document.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
