ABOUT
THE FILM
“The First Class” follows the founding class of Crosstown High in Memphis, one of the XQ schools across the country that is redefining the future of learning. Join Crosstown students on their journeys from 9th grade through the triumph of graduation as they imagine life on Mars, step into the lives of refugees, learn to think critically, and ultimately find themselves. This intimate verité film gives voice to the beauty and value of the American high school—and the possibility of what high school can be for students everywhere.
ABOUT
CROSSTOWN HIGH
Crosstown’s journey began in 2015 when Memphis parent Ginger Spickler saw a billboard advertising the XQ Super School Challenge with a call to design the high school of the future. She invited teachers, parents, students, local architects, writers, and business owners to join a design team that grew to 69 people. This diverse team gathered input from more than 200 students and also hosted community conversations. After listening and reflecting, the team identified two main goals: community members wanted more engaging and meaningful learning for their students, and they craved a racially diverse school to reverse the tide of de facto segregation in Memphis. Crosstown High opened in 2018 with a commitment to being “diverse by design” by recruiting students from across Memphis. The modern, lively high school sits inside the Crosstown Concourse—a ten-story, onemillion-square-foot landmark redeveloped with more than 40 businesses, nonprofits, health facilities, and civic groups. The public charter school graduated its first class in 2022 and serves about 480 students in grades 9-12.
ABOUT
THE FILMMAKER
Known for creating change through his documentaries, Lee Hirsch’s premiere film “AMANDLA! A REVOLUTION IN FOUR PART HARMONY” was theatrically released to acclaim, winning the Audience Award at Sundance. Lee’s feature documentary “BULLY” premiered at Tribeca and hit the national zeitgeist, igniting a viral call to action across the US to address the enduring damage of bullying in schools.in schools.
ABOUT
XQ INSTITUTE
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life.
Our vision is for young people everywhere to have vibrant high schools where students can grow as civic participants, critical readers, proactive problem solvers, original thinkers, generous collaborators, and learners for life. We work in communities throughout the country—with individual schools like Crosstown, school systems, and states—to help them dream big about what high school could be, turn their innovative ideas into action, and create more rigorous and equitable schools.
