The award-winning documentary "Accelerating America," will air on WSBE-TV, Thursday May 28 at 9 PM and again on Saturday, May 30 at 1:30 PM. This film about Rhode Island's Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program (UCAP), should be seen by anyone with an interest in urban at-risk youth, innovative education, or just good filmmaking.

New York based filmmaker Timothy Hotchner became involved in the school while a student at Brown University. “Accelerating America” is his first feature documentary. Hotchner followed three UCAP students as they struggled to overcome abandonment, poverty, and previous educational failure. Each had been “held back” in school for at least one year before enrolling in UCAP.

UCAP is the only school in the nation that gives students who are otherwise likely to quit school the chance to complete three years of study in two by dramatically improving their academic and social skills. The film depicts an unusually dedicated teaching staff and a non-traditional learning environment that includes efforts to engage families in their children’s education.

UCAP serves students from Providence, Central Falls and Cranston.