The Providence Effect

PG

2009

1h 32m

Documentary

List

47%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

75%

Audience Score

50+ Ratings

Chicago private school Providence St. Mel is regarded as one of the most outstanding (and influential) educational institutions in the country, mostly because it has managed to send 100 percent of its graduates to college over the course of its 30-year history. Director Rollin Binzer takes a closer look at Providence St. Mel in this fascinating documentary, which explores the school's teaching methods, curriculum, disciplinary tactics and other basic hallmarks of educational excellence.

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Joseph Jon Lanthier

Slant Magazine

Rollin Binzer's tribute only underscores the mind-bogglingly hazardous crapshoot we take when entrusting our children to local classrooms anywhere in the U.S.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 28, 2015

Full Review

Peter Hartlaub

San Francisco Chronicle

The subjects seem to be guiding the director through the movie, which offers no objectivity and avoids obvious questions. It's among the best films in history within its genre, but that genre is infomercial.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 16, 2009

Full Review

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

This uplifting documentary breaks no new ground stylistically, but the story it tells is urgent and compelling.

Oct 2, 2009

Full Review

Kam Williams

NewsBlaze

A moving bio-pic about an unsung hero with a winning education formula which ought to be replicated in inner cities all across the country.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 24, 2010

Full Review

Fr. Chris Carpenter

Movie Dearest

Objective viewers may criticize the filmmakers' tendency to view their subject through rose-colored glasses. Still, the subject is fascinating.

Rated: B+

Oct 2, 2009

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

Marginally compelling and well-edited while deficient when it comes to insight and provocativeness. You'll find a lot of potatoes here, but not enough meat.

Rated: 5.5/10

Sep 26, 2009

Full Review

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Audience Member

Thoughtful and optimistic documentary about a school in the Chicago area, 100% of whose graduates are accepted into college. I'm actually not sure I agree with all of their tactics and techniques, but it is refreshing to see not only a faculty this excited about teaching, but a student body this excited about learning from them.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Rollin Binzer

Director

Tom Hurvis

Producer

Rollin Binzer

Producer

Joey Dedio

Co-Producer

Julie Esch Hurvis

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Chicago private school Providence St. Mel is regarded as one of the most outstanding (and influential) educational institutions in the country, mostly because it has managed to send 100 percent of its graduates to college over the course of its 30-year history. Director Rollin Binzer takes a closer look at Providence St. Mel in this fascinating documentary, which explores the school's teaching methods, curriculum, disciplinary tactics and other basic hallmarks of educational excellence.

Director: Rollin Binzer
Producer: Tom Hurvis, Rollin Binzer
Rating: PG (Some Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.5K
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Dolby