User reviews

Lean on Me is based around the experiences of Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman), who becomes the principal of a destitute New Jersey high school plagued with violence, drugs, and abysmal academic performance. Clark is given the daunting task of bringing student's test scores up to the minimum acceptable level within one school year or the school will be taken over by the state.

Clark is fiercely strict and demanding towards both his students and teachers. This makes him the target of countless parents, board members, civil servants, and other teachers determined to bring him and his radical new style down. Despite outside resistance Clark becomes a pillar of hope for numerous students inspired by his harsh but ultimately uplifting demands for disciple, self betterment, and loyalty to their school and educational achievement.

What sets Lean on Me apart from numerous other sentimental inspirational flicks is the unconventional style of Clark and Morgan Freeman's masterful portrayal of him. Yes this is the drill sergeant of miracle workers if ever there was one. From tone to mannerisms Joe Clark is given a distinctive ambiance, Morgan Freemen IS the dominating force behind this entire film.

And this is where the film stumbles somewhat. None of the supporting characters are given enough development to really set them apart as individuals. The closest we get is with a bright young girl trying her best to succeed at school despite numerous domestic problems at home. She is won over by Clark almost immediately coming to view him as a mentor/father figure. The problem is that her subplot like the others becomes neglected in the latter half of the film and is never given enough meaningful resolution to make the final scenes believable. Its like going from point A to point C while ignoring B.

I also question the wisdom in using an imaginary plot point (the supposed school take over) and exaggerating the level of the student's academic improvement. It cheapens the genuine accomplishments of the school and clashes with the hard-edged momentum of Joe Clark. The story is worthy in of itself and didn't benefit from being exaggerated for dramatics.

Lean on Me clearly could have been much more than what it is. But faults aside I would still highly recommend it to see Freeman's Oscar worthy performance.

I wouldn't recommend Lean on Me anywhere near as much if it had another actor in the lead. Morgan Freeman owns the role of Principal Joe Clark so well that it might just be, over-the-top bits and all, one of his most commanding screen performances. It's such a rich (if not complex) part to play, as the one guy who comes in like a sheriff in the clueless small old-west town, that you need someone who can rule the screen even in those little moments when (and they're not many in this case) the actor doesn't have much to do alongside another actor. Freeman is so good and scene stealing and all those wonderful things we love him for that he makes one forget that the film he's in is only 'alright' at best and at worst is preachy and confused in its tone going between super tough/realistic and sentimental.

It's about a notorious school in Paterson, New Jersey, and how Joe Clark- who taught there in the 60s- is begged to be brought back to bring it back to some normalcy from the degradation of hardcore 80s madness (crack and gangs and other things infiltrating the high schoolers). While it is, as Ebert pointed out, kind of an unsympathetic character Clark is, I somehow can forgive the faults in the script for the acting (aside from Freeman there are other actors, like Robert Guillame and Michael beach and Beverly Todd, who can go up to bat with the likes of the star). It's the kind of feel-good-feel-bad 80s story that somehow stays past its time and place (albeit if you're from Jersey or especially Paterson there's some extra connection), and it's at least one other decent career note for Rocky director Avildsen.

It's 1967 Paterson, New Jersey. Innovative agitating teacher Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) is transferred from the idyllic Eastside High School so the union can get a raise. Twenty years later, the school has become a rundown urban jungle. The school is ranked last in the state. 75% of the school must pass a minimum requirement exam or the state will take over. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume) was Clark's friend and fellow teacher at the school. As superintendent of schools, he hires Clark as the new principal. Clark institute new dictatorial rules battling the government, the bad seeds, the teachers and one particular parent Leonna Barrett to rein in the unruly school.

This is Rambo taking over a school. I'm not saying it's the best way to teach. Maybe it's the only way that school could be controlled. All I'm claiming is that this works as a movie. Morgan Freeman delivers a rip roaring performance basically as a dictator. At times, his tyrannical nature pushes the audience but I root for him for the most part. This is a great actor in a compelling performance of a memorable character.

I work in a school that was totally struggling and considered hopeless, marked as "failing" and basically in the same position as Eastside High in Paterson, NJ, the subject and setting of "Lean on Me." "Lean on Me" is a very good, nearly great movie. But better than that it is the true story of a true hero who truly made a difference (http://www.joeclarkspeaker.com/index.html.)

Even if i wasn't a teacher, "Lean on Me" is a solidly recommendable film. Fine workmanship in depicting the underdog who deserves to win from the director of "Rocky." Justifably award winning acting by Morgan Freeman, well before he became a stereotype of himself. BUT, better than the traditional "movie-ishness" of the picture, the story is not only a story of hope, but it is a true and ongoing lesson that real commitment can create real change.

The whole process of the often startling and occasionally unpleasant shock and force necessary to rebuild a dangerously failing school is accurately portrayed. And so is the joyous feeling sensing the turn around taking place.

Even if you never learned anyone's name from the film, the story will inspire. Even if you think of none of the ideas of it, you cannot help but feel its heart.

I recently rented this movie because I am a huge Morgan Freeman fan, and I was amazed at how inspiring it was. Freeman is truly amazing in this movie. He is perfect for this strong part of principal at Eastside High. His disciplined yet loving authority was fun to watch. Also in the cast, Mr Darnell(Michael Beach) and Dr. Frank Napier(Robert Guillaume) along with Joe Clark(Morgan Freeman) were probably the most dominant actors. There was also a great supporting cast as listed above. Mayor Don Bottman(Alan North) played the perfect power hungry politician for this movie.

I would recommend this movie to anyone out there. I truly believe it belongs in the top 250.

Morgan Freeman's performance is the real reason to see this film. He's helped by a solid supporting cast, leading to some truly memorable scenes as principal Joe Clark (Freeman) battles teachers, parents, and administrators who are outraged by his controversial methods.

But this film deserved a grittier treatment than what it was given. The script is an awkward blend of inner-city drama with feel-good heroics. The subplot about the basic skills test should have been scrapped. First of all, it never happened in real life. But more importantly, it changed the entire tone of the film. Clark's story was about how he disciplined a school, not how he educated it. The softened approach leaves LEAN ON ME at odds with itself - it tries to be like STAND AND DELIVER, when it should have been like THE PRINCIPAL.

Morgan Freeman must be at his highest potential in this drama because he is excellent. He is excellent as Joe Clark, a principal at a high school who is trying to shape up his school and prepare them. He is wonderful as Joe Clark and he fills his character with so much heart that it is unbelieveable. He proved once again that he knows how to act and he should have won an oscar for his role. All of the actors and actresses are awesome in this. The direction and everything else is perfectly brought out.

Overall this movie has minor bits but everything else is perfect. Rating 10.5 out of 10. (Best Acting in a Movie)

The romanticized version of the career of Joe Clark, a tough and moralist New Jersey teacher who became the principal of the state's toughest , worst school and through controversial hard-line tactics, turned it around. He was fired long time ago; and nowadays , he's back as a dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark, appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school, and being determined to improve by any and all means. Morgan Freeman is determined to do his job , despite resistance from both students and school management. But Joe finds a den of drug abuse, gang violence, and urban despair. Eventually he is successful but unorthodox methods lead to a clash with city officials that threatens to undo all his efforts. He goes to work at an unruly school that is like nothing he has ever seen before , as he must face off a motley crew of adolescents in the classroom. Eastside High was out of control...until Joe Clark took it back !. They called him crazy for padlocking the doors, and for changing all the rules !. But Joe Clark was crazy about one thing only: the students who loved him !. Eastside High never had a principal this tough...or one who cared this much about its students !. Eastside High was a training ground for jail !. A high school teacher determines to change the school laws by using all kind of new means ! . Then Joe Clark took over, now the kids are getting something they never had, a future !.

A touching and gentle portrait of the influence of a teacher upon a high school of poverty-ridden teens. Excellent rendition based on an idealistic teacher who has his own ideas of discipline in a slum area and fights doggedly to dominate his unruly students at their classrooms. Regarding a brave principal at a school dominated by rebel students. Well-remembered school drama from the 80s dealing with the trials and tribulations of an idealist black teacher at a tough school , being based on actual events . This entertaining as well as thought-provoking film contains big feeling, drama , thrills , emotion and with a quite convincing, studious atmosphere .

In Lean on Me(1989) excels Morgan Freeman who gives a terrific acting as the arrogant and unorthodox teacher returns as principal to the idyllic high school from which he had earlier been fired. This is an original classic picture dealing with a teacher fighting troubled students and the ordinary confrontation in the troubled classroom . Being very worthy in its intention and including faith in American youth . We are especially concerned when these teenagers boil over in schools with attractive and moving scenes , and incidents depicted here are real .

This ¨Lean on Me¨(1989) ¨ follows in the wake of ¨To Sir, with Love¨(1967)¨by James Clavell, stars Sidney Poitier, or ¨Stand and deliver´by Ramón Menéndez wiith Edward James Olmos, more than ¨Dangerous Minds¨ (1995) by John Smith, stars Michelle Pfeiffer and has nothing to do with ¨Blackboard jungle¨ (1955) by Richard Brooks, written by Evan Hunter with Glenn Ford , Anne Francis and Sidney Poitier himself ; the latter dealing with a ominous group of students carrying out threats , robbing with gangs terrorizing the entire high school by executing crimes and violence at random, then the English teacher Glenn Ford pulls off his owns objectives , leading to an ever higher tension , in fact , due to the film violent content had great notoriety and important impression as well as some problems with censorship. ¨Lean on Me¨ is more sensitive , enjoyable and charming than the previous films . If it looks more than a little simplistic and dated nowadays , there are good-natured messages and nice sentiment. Stars Morgan Freeman in one of his finest acting as the teacher who instills in his pupils a belief in themselves and respect for one other. Freeman's a complete show, accompanied by a memorable support cast through stickier patches , full of veteran actors and newcomers, such as Be:verly Todd , Robert Guillaume, Alan North, Robin Bartlett, Michael Beach, Ethan Phillips, Mike Starr, Tony Todd, Bruce Malmuth, Michael Imperioli, among others.

The picture was notably directed by John G Avildsen. He was a nice filmmaker who has mixed more karate Kid and Rocky films with such feel-good message films as ¨Power of one, or ¨ Lean on me¨. He was a good director, writer and editor, known for shooting fims in all kinds of genres, such as: Inferno (1999), 8 Seconds (1994) , Happy New Year (1987), Rocky (1976), Rocky V (1990) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989) , Save the Tiger (1973), Joe (1970) and several others. Lean on Me(1989) rating: 7/10. Above average. Essential and fundamental seeing for Morgan Freeman fans.

Lean on Me was a song and a movie I've loved since childhood. Watching it again after nearly 30 years I have two observations:

1.) I realize that I never watched the movie from beginning to end. 2.) I have a lot greater appreciation for the movie than I ever had.

In 1987 Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey was a jungle (when the school was shown in '87 the background music was "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns n Roses). The test scores were in the toilet, drugs were rampant as well as violence, vagrancy, and vandalism. Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) was brought in to clean the school up and get the test scores up before the state took over the school.

This was a fantastic movie with a fantastic story and fantastic performances. Morgan Freeman was stellar as the principal, Joe Clark. He was loud, abusive, arrogant, and effective. He didn't see pleasantries as a means of getting what he wanted he only saw force and intimidation as the most effective method. He made friends and he made enemies and he made a difference.

Joe Clark was a very polarizing figure. He wasn't out to make friends he was out to do the job he was tasked with and that was going to take a lot of hard work-- and he needed full and complete cooperation. He ran his school more like a boot camp than a high school but this was an extreme case that required extreme actions.

Lean on Me was heartwarming and thought-provoking. There were some stimulating arguments and dialogue between Joe Clark and other characters as they debated his methods. All of it was captivating as you watched Joe slowly transform the school with the help of the remaining teachers.

"Lean on Me" is a Biography - Drama movie based on the true story of Joe Clark, a tough but caring principal who turns around a failing high school in Paterson, New Jersey.

I enjoyed this movie because it was based on a true story, it had an interesting plot and the direction which was made by John G. Avildsen was simply beautiful. The movie was both a heartfelt and motivational story about leadership, community, and resilience. The interpretation of Morgan Freeman who played as Principal Joe Clark was outstanding and captivating, since he combined authority, compassion, and vulnerability. In addition, the supporting cast, including a young and talented group of students, added depth to the story and helped it to evolve. All in all, I have to say that "Lean on Me" is a captivating movie that presented the power of education and the potential for positive change, no matter the obstacles. It's a life lesson for everyone and I highly recommend everyone to watch it.

Morgan Freeman's performance, as Principal Joe Clark, is hands down the best thing about "Lean On Me". It could even be considered today to be one of Freeman's Top 5 most iconic performances, easily ranking alongside "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), "Se7en" (1995), and "Million Dollar Baby" (2004).

Freeman effectively displays a take-charge attitude with his performance that the real life Joe Clark most likely had when he took over the real Eastside High School in Patterson, New Jersey. His best scene is when he first addresses the Eastside students in the auditorium, and swiftly expels the repeat troublemakers indefinitely. Following his rousing speech, one student, Kaneesha Carter (Karen Malina White), remarks, "Mr. Clark don't play!" You really can't disagree.

The beginning of the movie shows the thriving educational institution Eastside High School was in the late 1960's, when Joe Clark first taught there. 20 years later, the promising early days of Eastside were long gone, as the school gradually decayed into a dangerous, run-down inner city public school.

The first 20 minutes of "Lean On Me" shows what still ranks as one of the most intense and (somehow) least exploitative depictions of a typical day in a bad inner city public school. Guns N Roses' classic "Welcome To The Jungle" is the most fitting song. It may not be fun and games, but it's enough to bring you to your knees

Hallways fights occur daily, drug dealers frequently visit, and bars cover the windows. Even a young kid getting trapped in his locker only results in a custodian shaking his head in apathy. Just like "A Tale of Two Cities", where French peasants are drinking wine off the Paris streets, things are bad!

Much to the reluctance of Patterson Mayor Don Bottman (Alan North), Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume) convinces Joe Clark to take over as principal of Eastside High, and attempt to restore its former glory. Clark, who was fired from the school 20 years ago due to budget cuts, reluctantly agrees. However, Clark takes charge in a way Dr. Napier never expected.

Mr. Clark's unorthodox methods of discipline are probably still the subject of hot debate. Was his expelling the troublemakers on his first day the right thing to do? I think so, especially given the opening credits. However, a number of angry parents, especially Leonna Barrett (Lynne Thigpen), think otherwise.

Lynne Thigpen was a great actress, and she did well in her role here as a community member who is against Mr. Clark from the start. However, her character lacked definition. We know she's a parent of someone who attended Eastside High, but we never see her child. It's implied that her child was expelled, but she seems way too dedicated a community member to let her child fall through the cracks.

Most importantly, her character seems completely unaware of the mess that Eastside High was before Mr. Clark became principal. Was she ever in the high school, let alone when a fight occurred? Thigpen did what she could with the character, but Ms. Barrett needed to be more established.

Similarly, all the teachers we see appear more dedicated than Mr. Clark gives them credit for being. That's not a bad thing, but we never see any inept or corrupt teachers. We just see Mr. Clark unjustly fire music teacher Mrs. Elliot (Robin Bartlett), and even more unreasonably suspend Mr. Darnell (Michael Beach), the latter of whom Dr. Napier even describes as "a good, strong young Black teacher".

Did Mr. Clark fire teachers like them in real life? I don't know, but he may have. However, the real Eastside High must have had corrupt teachers who took part in the drug trade, had sex with students, or did similarly inappropriate and illegal things. These kinds of behaviors do happen in high schools across America, especially decaying inner-city public schools. The latter schools just have more tolerance for it.

When you see Mr. Clark immediately fire a good teacher for not teaching students the school song, it makes him out to be a bully. If you saw him throwing a teacher out of school for selling drugs, that action would be more justifiable, and the audience would be better able to sympathize with him.

Then there's the case of putting locks and chains on the doors. Mr. Clark orders the school security guards to do this after an altercation with a suspended student who came back into school with a knife in his hand. This order gets Mr. Clark in trouble with both the mayor and Fire Chief Gaines (John Ring), who correctly declare the action a fire hazard.

You can understand Mr. Clark's motivation for putting on the chains: there are dangerous people outside, and one of their friends can just push open the doors and let them in. Plus, the school doesn't have the budget for doors that unlock automatically in case of emergency. On the other hand, the Fire Chief has a point too. This conflict is probably what got the real Mr. Clark in trouble, and you can tell because it's very complicated. There are easy solutions to this problem, but like many problems in America's educational system, they are not attainable ones.

There is a lot "Lean On Me" does right, beginning with casting Morgan Freeman and Robert Guillaume. It's also inspiring to see the students who stay in Eastside High School warm up to Mr. Clark, and appreciate his disciplinary actions as "tough love".

However, the antagonists in this movie caused the most inconsistency, seemingly not even acknowledging a lot of the good Mr. Clark did, which unquestionably outweighed the bad. If these characters actually stepped out of the movie and watched the opening credit sequence, they may have changed their minds. Then again, Mr. Clark seemed to be the only character who saw the big picture. It's hard to say.

Freeman is perfectly cast as "Crazy" Joe Clark, a radical, newly appointed principal at a gradually deteriorating, gang-ridden Jersey high school who tries to get through to his students with a tough, opinionated, no-nonsense approach to the pursuit of academic excellence. The odds are stacked against him as the education board threatens to take over Eastside High, but with his burning desire, devoted staff and administration, and some bright students who actually want to succeed, he rallies them for what will be the final chance to save the school. Based on a true story the premise is familiar and the script has its ups and downs, but it's meaningful and acted with strength and conviction, especially Freeman who is nothing short of superb. ***

This movie is outstanding. Morgan Freeman gives a stirring portrayal of "Batman" Joe Clark. I had the pleasure once of meeting the real Joe Clark and was very impressed with him. All of the characters had their own story to tell. Had their own problems and their own outlook on life. The actors portraying them made you care what happened to them. Each person was real since this is a true story. Robert Guillame also gives one of the better performances of his career with this movie. Far better than Benson and in all due respect Benson wasn't all that bad really. This movie is a classic well-thought and acted out story. It will go down as one of the all time greats. 10/10

Morgan Freeman made himself into a star with this film, and also made the movie a hit with his great performance. He IS the movie playing fascinating real- life high school principal Joe Clark. He's just fun to watch all the way through.

All the characters in this movie all have the same trait: tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Here is a bit of a warning for people who want to show this to their kids and don't know the material: there are at least a half-dozen abuses of God's name in vain and some unneeded sexual remarks. Also, they dealt with teen pregnancy a little too liberally but didn't dwell on it. ("There are alternatives," Clark says to a young girl after she confesses she's become pregnant.)

Other than that, solid acting and an interesting based-on-a-true life story made this a deserved hit film. A year later, Freeman solidified his status as a "star" with "Driving Miss Daisy."

I watched this old flick tonight on my DVD player and, oh man, it was overwhelming and captivating on how a stern minded principal straightens out an inner city school. It was also touching as well.

The high school depicted was a respectable looking one back in the 1960s, but then the film fast forwards to the 1980s to show how extremely bad it eventually became. The crime, drugs and assaults were common there, but all that changes when Mr. Clark enters the picture as the new principal.

His first actions were to kick out all the 'delinquents' in that place who either stayed on too long at the school or were just plain hoodlums. A young chubby kid was among one of those causalities and it was touching when he later pleaded to Mr. Clark to let him continue going to school there, saying he didn't want his ma to know. A deal is worked out and the kid promises to behave himself which he does.

Mr. Clark worked extreme wonders on that school. He changed it from a crime infested and graffiti covered building to a respectable learning institution. There were, of course, oppositions towards his stern ways and his drill sergeant actions towards getting things done the way he wants.

It was apparent that he cared for the students at that school, but eventually had to learn that he sometimes went too far and had to reign himself in. He had to learn the appreciation of his efforts instead of yelling about how he wanted things done his way all the time.

I'm surprised Morgan Freeman was never nominated for an Oscar for his performance as the tough school principal, Joe Clark. He played the role to a tee and made it captivating in the process. He's one of my favorite actors and he clearly showed his powerful range in this film.

Lean on Me (1989)

A rousing movie about possibility and overcoming obstacles. It's an uncomplicated movie, telling in a linear way about the six month hard core reform of a very troubled inner-city high school. But it will make you feel good if you have any sentiment in you.

Morgan Freeman is the newly installed principal with an idiosyncratic zeal that is perfect for this rough and tumble school. He tactics are severe—and seemingly heartless— kicking out hundreds of kids and punishing countless others for seemingly small offenses. But he certainly takes charge, and that was foremost. The students respond. Test scores improve.

One of the messages here is still pertinent, and he puts it well to the whole group. If you are failing, it's not the fault of your parents, or the white folks. It's your fault.

And so personal accountability is step one, then and now. The teachers seem mostly on target, though they get some abuse from his as well. (The chorus teacher in particular seems brilliant, but since she is teaching Mozart instead of the school song she is on the wrong side.) And so it goes, piece by piece, person by person.

I say uncomplicated, but simplistic might be another word. This kind of reform must have been even more complex and stressful and painful than the movie shows—this isn't a documentary one bit. In fact, this is more of a fable, a kind of message driven tale of a man with a mission who overcomes the odds. That it's rooted in fact is only a small tweak to the larger point.

I remember I saw this movie the first time in the mid 90's, and I was stunned by the plot and the hilarious comments by Morgan Freeman, who remains one of my favorite actors. I love the way he kicks the establishments ass during the whole movie, and you understand his commitment for the kids on the school. Outstanding supporting actors as well, especially Lynne Thigpen who does one of her best roles as the parent from hell... Seeing it as I did yesterday on cable, makes this movie stand out as one of the best school movies made. The emphasis here is clearly acting as well as realism, and the mix is well blended and the movie still stands out today.

I only watched this movie based on the high rating it got on IMDb. And I got fooled again. Because it is certainly not as good as they want to make us believe. Morgan Freeman is a good actor, we all know that, and here in Lean On Me he is also good but the script is just not good enough. It's one of those movies with a message. Or a lot of messages in this case. And it does look so cheesy at moments it becomes annoying. The poor uneducated kids in a terrible school bullied and controlled by drug dealers that get cleaned out and then suddenly fights back to become successful. Sorry but it's so cheesy I was wondering how it got such a high average on IMDb. It's okay to watch once but that's about it.

(Credit IMDb) The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve.

This is a very important film about education. Some might find Principal Joe Clark to be an arrogant person, but I believe you have to look beyond that. The man was willing to fight for education and equal rights, regardless of the controversy. He wanted to make sure people quit dropping out and focus on the right people. Sure, he rubbed people the wrong way with his tyrannical style, but the man was extremely effective and a good person. Morgan Freeman gives Joe Clark justice with his memorable performance. He is mesmerizing at times and carries a good film into a great one. This movie would have been good with an above average lead, but Freeman makes all the difference in the world. This is an excellent movie that will make you teary eyed, laugh and saddened. It is a movie of many emotions

8/10

Always enjoy the great acting skills of Morgan Freeman, who played the Principal, (Joe Clark) in this film and gave an outstanding performance. Poor Joe had to leave a very quite elementary school in Patterson, N.J., and take on the job as a high school Principal that was a complete Horror, something like the "Blackboard Jungle". Joe Clark had to deal with all kinds of dope pushers and students who spent four (4) years at the high school and could not even read or write. There was lots of shouting through out the entire picture and after a while, it got rather boring and unrealistic. If it were not for Morgan Freeman being in this picture, it would have fallen completely on its FACE !

It's obvious that the writers for this film have never actually taught before or have even spent time dealing with school policies. I'm a teacher with a decade's worth of experience and I cringe every time o see this film and others like Freedom Writers. For starters, you can't just expel students by calling up suspected drug dealers on a stage and boom, you're gone. It's a process any time a child is expelled and there is a hearing. Secondly, yelling at teachers the way Clark does will simply get the faculty to tune you out. A principal cannot fire a teacher unless they touch a child or steal money. Bad evaluations and pressure from the admin are a way to make you want to quit but all a teacher has to do is go to their Union Rep and Big Bad Joe Clark is now all of a sudden just Joe Clark. Third, you can be a harda** all you want but if the kids don't want to learn, they simply won't. You can't force a 17 year old to learn if they don't want to. Most of the desire to learn is formulated at home when the kids are young not by some authoritarian principal or even caring teachers. The film implies that all one has to do to be effective is yell and scream. I can assure you that it's far more difficult than that, otherwise in reality, it'd be easy to be an educator. It isn't. Lastly, the only true things about this film is that there is an Eastside High School in New Jersey and a man named Joe Clark was once a principal there. Did the test scores actually go up? No. Did the state actually threaten to take the school over? Not when the movie takes place but ironically enough, the state of New Jersey took over after the film's release. If you want reality, go be a teacher for yourself and you'll come to hate this film as much as most other teachers do.