THE PROVIDENCE EFFECT, inspiring documentary film about education opens Friday, October 16 October 16, 2009

THE PROVIDENCE EFFECT "An inspiring documentary about a special Chicago school sending 100 percent of its students to college for over 30 years - escaping America's educational crisis."

In Person: Co-Producer Joey Dedio, plus subjects of film School Founder Paul Adams & School Principal Jeanette Dibella), Friday, October 16 at 7:20 & 9:40pm
Full Showtimes (valid 10/16-22) 2:00, 4:20, 7:20, 9:40

Paul J. Adams III, an African-American man with activist roots in the 1960's civil rights movement, came from a family of teachers. After being blacklisted himself as a teacher in Alabama because of his civil rights activities, he moved to Chicago, received a master's degree in psychology, and then landed a job as guidance counselor at Providence St. Mel, an all-black parochial school on Chicago's notorious drug-ridden, gang-ruled West Side. Adams later became its principal, saved it from closure and converted it to a not-for-profit independent school. He then set about achieving a new goal: To turn Providence St. Mel into a first rank college preparatory school, and its African-American student body into a corps of driven, disciplined, high-achieving students. That was over 30 years ago. Since then, 100% of Providence St. Mel graduates have been accepted to college, half of them, during the last seven years, to first tier and Ivy League colleges and universities. With an "old school" approach to learning—"Do the work"—and a dedicated corps of teachers and administrators, Providence St. Mel can serve as a model for revamping all of American education. Directed by Rollin Binzer (Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones)

Official Website: http://www.providenceeffect.org/