Race To Nowhere Documentary Coming Soon

The Peer Leadership Program submitted this article.

The Peer Leadership Program at is hosting two viewings of the film “Race to Nowhere” on Wellness Day, Wednesday, Feb. 8th.

Race to Nowhere is a documentary film examining the pressures faced by young people, teachers and parents in our high-stakes public and private education system and our pressure-cooker culture.

Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, “Race to Nowhere” points to the silent epidemic running rampant in our schools.  

Cheating has become common-place, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout abound, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

“Race to Nowhere” is a call to mobilize families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright contribution and leading citizens of today and for the future.

(End the Race Facilitation Guide) Swampscott High School Peer Leaders are empowered to create activities that promote the well being of the entire high school community. They fundraise, plan and facilitate the entire Wellness Day event yearly. They will lead small group discussions after the film and prior to the panel discussion.

All students, faculty and staff will watch the film together at 8:30 am.  Vicki Abeles, the director of the film, will introduce the film and afterwards will host a panel discussion.  The panel will be made up of students, parents, teachers, community members, and administrators.  Ms. Abeles will also facilitate a discussion of the film with the entire faculty at their monthly faculty meeting.  

The film will be shown again for community members at 6:30 that evening in the high school auditorium.  There will be a similar panel discussion afterwards.