New Showbiz

You are here:
High School II

High School II

1994

Director

Frederick Wiseman

Runtime

220 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

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.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.1/10

Good

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film captures naturalistic social interactions within a diverse adolescent population. However, it lacks a centralized narrative or explicit focus on queer themes and non-cisnormative identities.

Gender Representation

Fair

Female students and faculty are given significant space to demonstrate intellectual leadership and rigor. The film captures existing social dynamics rather than using scripted arcs to subvert gender roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

Set in Spanish Harlem, the film features a predominantly non-Anglo-Saxon student body. Students of color are presented as active participants in complex discussions regarding race and class.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The curriculum prioritizes secular critical thinking and intellectual pluralism over monolithic traditions. This approach challenges standard Western educational models by favoring a decentralized, student-centric social organization.

Disability Representation

Fair

The documentary captures a general student population without focusing on specific narratives. There is no evidence of specialized themes regarding neurodivergence or physical disability.

Strengths

  • Exceptional depiction of racial and ethnic plurality within an urban setting.
  • Highlights the intellectual agency and leadership of female students and faculty.
  • Challenges monolithic cultural standards through a focus on secular, critical thinking.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit or centralized narratives regarding LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Does not feature specific character arcs or themes related to disability.
  • Observational style captures existing social dynamics rather than actively subverting gender roles.

AI Analysis

Frederick Wiseman’s observational approach provides a sophisticated look at a diverse urban institution. By centering the 'Habits of Mind' program, the film highlights the intellectual agency of a predominantly non-white student body in Spanish Harlem. While the documentary excels in depicting racial plurality and sociological discourse, it lacks the overt, identity-driven narratives common in modern scripted media. It functions as a realistic window into social mechanics rather than a vehicle for specific identity politics. The film's strength lies in its refusal to treat marginalized students as passive subjects, instead presenting them as active thinkers navigating complex systemic structures.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.