If You Can Make It Here

If You Can Make It Here is a documentary about three eighth graders, Kingsley, Kevin, and Hailey, as they prepare for an exam to enter New York City's elite Specialized High Schools. The film explores the tension between two different philosophies for admission: selecting students based on the highest test scores versus prioritizing a more diverse student body. Through interviews with students, parents, and education experts, the narrative examines the conflict between educational excellence and equity within the public school system.

The film was directed and written by Jaclyn Boudreau and Joseph Kast, and produced by Grant Brown through the Pacific Legal Foundation. The cast features various individuals appearing as themselves, including John McWhorter, Freddie DeBoer, Michael Benjamin, Wai Wah Chin, Lisa Greenwald, and Yiatin Chu. Released on July 10, 2026, in the United States, the production has a runtime of 59 minutes.