Ten9Eight

One of the main explanations for our country’s inner-city high-school dropout rate is that public education doesn’t teach skills applicable to life outside the classroom. Director Mary Mazzio’s film, part documentary and part public-service announcement, offers a plausible alternative, which may prompt a discussion of totally revamping standard curriculum. The movie focuses on 14 teenagers, all facing different levels of socioeconomic or physical adversity, who enter an annual business-plan competition. Some sell lotion, some eco-friendly doggie treats, while others peddle cheerleading uniforms, proving that you don’t need As in algebra to become a captain of industry.