--- title: Nowhere to Race? description: Nowhere to Race? image: https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-Nowhere-to-Race--2.jpg --- [![Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) ![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/search.png) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/hamb.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/02/11/nowhere-to-race-2#sidr-main) - [admissionstour and variable tuition](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions) - [early yearspreschool and pre k](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/early-years) - [elementary school kindergarten–5th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/elementary) - [middle school 6–8th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/middle-school) - [high school9–12th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/high-school) **Locations** [Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/about/contact-us) **Email** [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:%20admissions@svintl.org) **Social** - [![facebook](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417421_134652.png)](http://www.facebook.com/svintlschool) - [![Instagram](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417426_134654.png)](http://www.instagram.com/svintlschool) - [![Twitter](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417432_134655.png)](http://www.twitter.com/svintlschool) - [![LinkedIn](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417433_134656.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/svintlschool) - [![YouTube](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417434_134657.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/istpnet) # Nowhere to Race? [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [blog home](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) Community [All Categories](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) [culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [STEM](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/stem) [social emotional learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [inquiry learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Achievement](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/achievement) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) ![Nowhere to Race?](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-Nowhere-to-Race--2.jpg) share: [![istp-linkedin-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/02/11/nowhere-to-race-2) [![istp-instagram-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/?url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/02/11/nowhere-to-race-2) [![istp-facebook-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/02/11/nowhere-to-race-2) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-Nowhere-to-Race--2.jpg?width=215&height=320&name=Philippes-Blog-Nowhere-to-Race--2.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-Nowhere-to-Race--2.jpg)At [INTL\*](https://istp.org), we constantly are exploring ways for our students to develop their individual skills with the hope that they will function effectively in a complex society. We remain committed to helping each child become the best student, person and leader possible. As I think about our students becoming leaders, it’s my hope that some of them will put their energy into meeting the educational challenges of our society. As we look at the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), we see that the United States does not do especially well in reading, science, and math tests. In addition, the United States has substantial inequities in achievement, and international surveys show that the performance gap between the most- and least-proficient students in the United States is among the highest of all countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Needless to say, there are many causes for this situation, among them, a lack of clear and consistent support by the state of the schools and the education system. Two very different but effective documentaries that identify some of the issues are *Waiting for Superman*, which reveals the problems associated with the accessibility of quality education, and the *Race to Nowhere*, which speaks more specifically to the impact on our kids of the goals that they, their parents and schools have for them. Both films are thought-provoking and if you have not seen them, please do. *Waiting for Superman* is available on DVD and through Netflix, and we will organize a showing of the *Race to Nowhere* for our faculty, and for our parents on March 16, 2011, with the hope of forging a discussion on the issues raised in the film. The Race to Nowhere has received significant coverage in publications across the country, including [an article that appeared in *The New York Times* in December](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/education/09nowhere.html?_r=3&src=me&ref=homepage). Please do read it; the questions raised by the article and the film are important. [INTL](https://istp.org) has two upcoming events, addressing the question: Is more better? We'll be holding a public screening of *Race to Nowhere* on **Wednesday, March 16, 2011.** You can [purchase tickets online](http://rtnschoolofthepeninsula.eventbrite.com/) for $10 or pay $15 at the door. We also have an upcoming workshop on **Wednesday, March 2, 2011**, "Helping Your Child with Learning and School." I encourage all parents to attend. [For more information and to RSVP to this free workshop, click here.](https://www.istp.org/podium/default.aspx?t=36644&rid=4040) [For more information on both events, visit our "Is More Better" webpage. ](http://www.istp.org/ismorebetter) Do you have thoughts you'd like to share? [**Email me.**](mailto:philippedietz@istp.org) ** \*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.** related posts [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_2087-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/outstanding-gala-experiences) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [Outstanding Gala Experiences by INTL Teachers & Staff](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/outstanding-gala-experiences) [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_0617.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/casino-royale-parents-night-off) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [Gala Auction Lot: Casino Royale: Parents' Night Off, May 12th](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/casino-royale-parents-night-off) [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_7424-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/outstanding-gala-experiences-by-istp-teachers-staff) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [Outstanding Gala Experiences by ISTP Teachers & Staff](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/outstanding-gala-experiences-by-istp-teachers-staff) ### Silicon Valley International School #### The premier bilingual International Baccalaureate school in the West Coast. Grades preschool to high school: Chinese, French, German Programs available. [contact us](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions/contact-admissions) [![svINTL-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png?upscale=true&width=350&name=INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) [+1 (650) 251-8500](tel:+1%20(650)%20251-8500) | [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:admissions@svintl.org) Cohn Campus (Main): 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Willows Campus: 475 Pope St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SVINTLSchool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/SVINTLschool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/?about=&gid=3678595) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/youtube.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCumv__A7wzB86YH0q8u7A) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Philippe Dietz", "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/author/philippe-dietz" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-03T20:33:10.554Z", "datePublished" : "2011-02-11T08:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Nowhere to Race?", "image" : [ "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Philippes-Blog-Nowhere-to-Race--2.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/02/11/nowhere-to-race-2", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png" }, "name" : "Silicon Valley International School" } } ```