MUST WATCH
E
ver wondered what it would be like
to return to school? Or what kids
are up to these days? It turns out
you’re not the only one.
New documentary series Undercover High
aims to explore what the youth of today
faces in life by sending seven adults back
to infiltrate classes.
While some Hollywood films including
Never Been Kissed and 21 Jump Street
have explored the idea of grown-ups going
back to the classroom with hilarious results,
this is the first time a documentary has
attempted it seriously.
Undercover High executive producer
Greg Henry says the aim of the experiment
is to unearth what teenagers deal with,
as well as gather as much information as
possible on horrific student violence, drug
selling and taking, and some other serious
issues facing one particular establishment.
“The point of this is to learn,” Henry
says about the study, which is an expansion
project of the groundbreaking 60 Days In
franchise. “And to help today’s youngsters
navigate a world that is very different than
when we went. Everyone has got a phone
now; everyone has social media. It’s tough
to be a student and, if parents watch this,
they may be better equipped with ways to
help their children.”
The production follows participants aged
between 21 and 26, who attend an average
American high school for one semester.
To ensure their cover isn’t blown, they are
given a fake identity. One young woman
is even fitted with braces to help give her
a more youthful look.
Only three teachers employed at the
Highland Park High School in Topeka,
Kansas are aware of their true identities,
while students are briefed to expect to see
cameras in the classroom as a documentary
is being filmed about life in the halls.
For the covert adults, it’s a confronting
experience going back in time.
Amongst the group there is a teen mum,
a woman who admits to being a bully when
she was growing up and a gay man who
was teased when he was younger because
of his sexual identity.
Siblings Lina, 22, and her 24-year-old
brother Jorge were two of those chosen
to take part, and former cheerleader Lina
is intrigued to see how life has changed
since she was a student.
Within her first week, she is confronted
by just how prevalent social media has
become when she is a victim of cyberbullying
because of how attractive she is.
“High school students are mean,” Lina
says. “I learnt how much I could handle.”
According to the program, 89 per cent of
US teens use social media and 50 per cent
admit to being addicted to their phones.
That addiction is evident during scenes
in the classroom where students check
social media and message one another
continually, despite the fact mobile phone
use is banned during lessons.
Educator Dr Beryl New was the principal
of Highland Park High during filming.
She’s now working in a new role and admits
that it was difficult watching the footage,
discovering how the students interacted
with one another online.
“What [the experiment] did was illustrate
how cruel kids can be,” New reveals. “That
was disturbing to me because that is an
area of their life that I don’t normally see.
To imagine that someone would have all
these negative comments, taunts even, it
left me feeling sick.”
While some of the adults’ findings about
life as a teen are confronting for school
administrators, there are also benefits.
Student pastor Daniel says he took part
because he wanted to know what kids were
thinking. He found during the semester
that he had students open up to him about
issues such as wanting to drop out and
being in trouble with the law.
“It’s important to tell this story so we
can actually help kids dream more,” says
the 23-year-old. “Let’s go out and go for
that big dream.”
Nicolette, 22, adds that she was happy
to become close friends with some of her
peers and feels it will open viewers’ eyes.
“I think that parents who watch this, and
students, teachers and friends, everyone
can learn something from this,” she says.
“It was a positive experience with a lot
of challenges and adversity, but overall
I think it should make a huge difference.”
“High school students are mean.
I learnt how much I could handle”
- Lina
UNDERCOVER HIGH Tuesdays from April 3
at 7.30pm on Crime + Investigation [613]
available in the DOCOS pack
Student pastor
Daniel wants
to help his peersAdministrators were
shocked by the use and
eects of social mediaFoxtel APRIL 33