THE
FIRST CLASS FILM
“THE FIRST CLASS” follows the founding class of Crosstown High in Memphis, one of the XQ schools from across the country that is redefining the future of learning. Join Crosstown students on their journeys from ninth 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.
THE
SCHOOL
Crosstown’s journey began when Memphis parent Ginger Spickler saw a billboard advertising the XQ Super School Challenge. She invited teachers, parents, students, local architects, writers, and business owners to join a design team that grew to 69 people. They gathered input from more than 200 students who shared how they often felt unheard in school. Crosstown’s stakeholders desired more dynamic and engaging learning experiences for their students, and they craved a racially diverse school to reverse the tide of de facto segregation in Memphis.
The brightly-lit, lively school opened in 2018 inside Crosstown Concourse. The building is a ten-story, 1 million-square-foot Memphis landmark that’s been redeveloped with more than 40 businesses, nonprofits, health facilities, and civic groups. Crosstown High’s commitment to being “diverse-by-design” means it recruits students from across Memphis. The public charter school graduated its first class in 2022 and serves about 480 students in grades 9-12.
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 went on to hit the national zeitgeist, igniting a viral call to action across the US to address the enduring damage of bullying in schools.
About XQ
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so that every student graduates ready to succeed in life.
