Brooklyn Castle

About the Project

A squat concrete building on an inner-city block, Intermediate School 318 in Brooklyn, New York may not impress from the outside, but in room 319, something special is happening. Here, hundreds of Ms. Vicary's students have learned to play chess, one of the world's oldest and most complex games. To date, I.S. 318's powerhouse chess team has won 26 national chess competitions, and while some students seem well on their way to becoming the next Bobby Fisher, many have just begun learning how to move the pieces.

Brooklyn Castle follows five of these team members for one year, and documents their challenges and triumphs both on and off the chessboard. Justus is an extraordinarily talented 10-year-old who is trying to navigate the unfamiliar pressures that come with his newfound success. 11-year-old Patrick struggles with ADHD, and uses chess to improve his concentration. At 12, Alexis already views chess as a means to attain a higher education and support his immigrant family. 13-year-old Rochelle strives to become the first African-American female to achieve the level of chess master. And the team's emotional and outspoken leader, 12-year-old Pobo, rallies his fellow students against school budget cuts while running for school president. In each of these young teens we witness the profound effects of chess, a beautifully complex game offered as a unique learning experience in an underfunded urban school.

I.S. 318 is a federally designated "Title I" school, which means 65% of students fall below the poverty line. Many members of its chess team navigate difficult life circumstances, and, in the words of Coach John Galvin, “no one has given them a break." Dedicated students who put in the time and effort are rewarded with opportunities to compete in chess tournaments across the country; these trips are paid for by the school, and chaperoned by Coaches Galvin and Vicary. This year, I.S. 318's team is the strongest in school history. However, as the New York City public school system continues to reel from state and citywide financial crisis, I.S. 318's budget has been cut by over $1 million. Afterschool programs like chess are often front-line budgetary casualties, despite their proven success in addressing students' development in ways that are often unattainable in the classroom, especially in high-need areas.

Right now there are a diverse group of films examining the state of public education. Brooklyn Castle attempt to tackle this huge issue, but rather it focuses on one school and how chess is positively affecting the lives of 5 students. The I.S. 318 chess program is just one example of an innovative and accessible public education program that works. And yet while most educators, parents and politicians agree that programs like art, music and chess play a vital role in public education, in times of financial crisis they are the first programs to be cut. Through the telling of five personal stories, Brooklyn Castle makes an argument for afterschool programs and the critical role they play in addressing the needs of kids, especially disadvantaged kids that might otherwise be marginalized by the current public education system.

The Fledgling Fund Impact

The Fledgling Fund is pleased to support this charming and powerful film. The film demonstrates the simple power of giving students opportunities for learning, growth and friendship outside of the classroom. We believe in the potential for this film to inspire other schools to consider chess and other after school programming as a priority for budgets and staff resources.