Centennial High School Hosts 'Race To Nowhere' Screening

From Centennial High School:

ROSWELL, GA – As school gets underway this fall, a timely and provocative film exposes a silent epidemic plaguing America’s educational system. Called a "must-see movie" by The New York Times, Race to Nowhere was the first education film to uncover the epidemic of unhealthy, disengaged and unprepared students caught in the rat race of an obsessive achievement culture. Through heartbreaking stories of students from across the country, the film explores how high-stakes testing, runaway school schedules and relentless pressure to achieve has pushed our children to the brink.

Centennial High School will host a two-part series on the impact of the education system on our children. The first event will feature the film, Race to Nowhere, on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 6:30 pm in the school auditorium. The companion film, Beyond Measure, will be aired in the spring of 2017.

Co-sponsored by the LTY Foundation, both films will be followed by a discussion and working session on how to effect positive change and best prepare our students to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens in the 21st century. Students, families, educators and all community members are encouraged to attend these important events.

Tickets for the free screening can be obtained by registering here.

“While Race to Nowhere aired in 2009, the issues highlighted in the film are more pronounced than ever today,” said Kibbey Crumbley, Principal of Centennial High School. “Our goal is to prepare our students to be successful in life—but not at the expense of their health. That is why I am proud that our PTSA, the LTY Foundation and our award-winning counseling team have partnered to bring this important event to our school now and facilitate ideas for positive change.”

Studies show that over the last 30 years, children have seen their free time evaporate. For example, young people today spend half as much time playing outdoors as they did in the 1980s. In some places across the country, the frantic pace of modern life has even trickled down to kindergarten, where students are already bringing home hours of homework. Young people nationwide suffer from alarming rates of anxiety, sleep loss and depression. In the most recent Stress in America survey by the American Psychological Association, more than one in four teens reported feeling "extreme levels" of stress during the school year.

Race to Nowhere has been screened in more than 7,500 public and community settings in all 50 states and more than 30 countries.

Image via Centennial High School.