Radical

A new teacher, Sergio Juarèz Correa, joins the poorly-run Jose Urbina Lopez Elementary in Matamoros in 2011. The school sits amid cartel violence and deteriorating facilities, with students suffering from an environment that stifles learning. Sergio faces the challenge of engaging students in a system that lacks resources.

The school is plagued by drug cartel violence and severe underfunding. Classrooms lack computers, up-to-date materials, and motivation to improve beyond mandated tests. Sergio begins to see that traditional teaching is failing his students.

Sergio surprises his sixth graders with a creative approach that turns the classroom upside down to visualize problem solving, such as imagining lifeboats with limited capacity. The method aims to foster independent thinking and collaborative reasoning. The students respond with curiosity and engagement, unlike their prior classes.

When the principal Chucho checks on the class, he is as baffled as the students by the new method. He struggles to grasp how this approach leads to learning outcomes. The scene highlights the mismatch between policy and classroom reality.

Continued effort yields measurable gains as students demonstrate improved understanding and confidence. The class becomes more engaged through student-led activities and independent thinking. Chucho starts to see the potential of this approach, shifting from skepticism to cautious support.

A visiting administrator challenges the class because of their discussions on morality, notably abortion. Sergio defends the new learning method and the students’ right to engage with complex issues. The tension culminates in him being sidelined by the school administration.

Sergio withdraws from his teaching duties following the death of Nico, a student in his class. The loss deeply affects the remaining students and marks a turning point in the classroom's trajectory. With the teacher sidelined, the class begins to regress academically.

Concerned about his former students, Principal Chucho visits Sergio at his home to urge him not to give up on the sixth graders. The visit marks a moment of personal renewal for Sergio. It rekindles a sense of responsibility toward the class.

Sergio reconnects with Paloma, a gifted student, and helps convince her father to let her pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut. The moment re-energizes Sergio’s belief in his students’ potential. Paloma’s ambition becomes a personal beacon for him.

With the academic year nearing its end, Sergio rushes back to the school during standardized testing to encourage his class to keep believing. The students respond to his renewed encouragement with a determined focus on the exams. The scene caps his journey of rediscovering his mission as a teacher.

The class channels their renewed confidence and performs well on the standardized tests. Their success demonstrates that independent thought and engagement can translate into academic achievement. Some students begin to find new opportunities after school.

Several students go on to succeed in private business or work for major technology companies in the United States, illustrating the lasting impact of Sergio’s teaching approach. The film suggests that empowering students to think for themselves can open doors beyond the immediate environment. The story closes on a note of potential and complexity.