Common Sense Media Review
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
U.S. teens test their skills abroad in school debate docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Smartest Kids in the World
What's the Story?
THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD is a documentary based on Amanda Ripley's New York Times bestselling book that takes a look at the U.S. school system and how it compares with other countries. Through the narratives of four ethnically-diverse U.S. students, viewers watch the teens take on the task of study abroad programs that often offer a more rigorous and challenging curriculum for them. The selected schools are located in Finland, Korea, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, which usually outperform the United States, specifically in the areas of math, reading, and science. The film sets out to discover what U.S. schools might be doing wrong and why schools abroad are consistent leaders in teaching students.
Is It Any Good?
One instructive lesson learned from this must-see documentary is to have a discussion with teens about their high school education. Ask what they believe might motivate them to remain engaged in school. "I started realizing that in most education debates there were no students at all," says Amanda Ripley in The Smartest Kids in the World and author of the book based on the film. "It was about adults. There are millions of experts on education who are never in the room when decisions get made and those people are kids." And notes 17-year-old Simone Bey from the Bronx, New York, who studied in Korea, "I've come to realize that it's not always about a student not caring or a student not showing interest. But, sometimes where you are, where you go to school, where you live can greatly affect your education."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage of the four teens in The Smartest Kids in the World. How do they also demonstrate communication, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Why do you think U.S. schools aren't making the grade as leaders in education? What steps could they take to do better?
What is critical thinking? Why is it an important skill to have?
What do you think are the benefits of studying in another country? Would you ever consider doing so? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 19, 2021
- Cast : Simone Bey , Amanda Ripley , Jaxon King
- Director : Tracy Droz Tragos
- Studio : Discovery+
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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