Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

On the Way to School

Play trailer Poster for On the Way to School 2015 1h 17m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
63% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Four students from different parts of the world travel long distances to attend school.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

On the Way to School

Critics Reviews

View More
Ben Sachs Chicago Reader May 22, 2015
Though aimed at children, this 2013 French documentary is the sort of direct, expressive, and compassionate filmmaking that can be appreciated by anyone. Go to Full Review
Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times Mar 5, 2015
Dispensing with any heated rhetoric about the sorry state of education, director Pascal Plisson instead allows this quartet of beautifully photographed incredible journeys speak inspirational volumes. Go to Full Review
Ben Kenigsberg New York Times Feb 5, 2015
The swelling score gives the sense of an inspirational children's movie. True to that form, "On the Way to School" never wavers in its bland uplift. Go to Full Review
Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice May 26, 2017
3.5/5
A documentary showing the challenges faced by children on three continents in pursuit of education. Go to Full Review
Brian Costello Common Sense Media Mar 22, 2016
4/5
Stirring docu explores school journeys around the globe. Go to Full Review
Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Feb 6, 2015
5.75/10
Heartfelt, but a squandered opportunity to insightfully tackle an important human rights issue. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Alison T @RT18019214 May 16, 2025 This is an excellent movie, giving a visual perspective of what some children must endure just to get an education. As an elementary teacher, I have shown this film from second grade through 4th or 5th and each time, students are simply amazed and enthralled! I showed it to my own children and husband alike, and again, even as an older audience, they were captivated. I'm not sure why the critics gave this movie such a low rating, but the audience rating is right on target--if not even a bit lower than derserved. I'd give it 95+. This is an excellent movie! See more Oct 11, 2019 Perfect movie to show kids in middle and high school what other kids go through to get to school. Not sure why it's on Rotten Tomatoes. Well made, sweet, touching. See more Sep 27, 2018 IT was an interesting movie See more Jun 22, 2018 Required viewing for EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN. Period. See more Aug 26, 2016 One of the best documentaries I've ever seen if not the best. See more Jun 15, 2016 Amazing movie and very impactful. Plisson was able to make the audience feel the exhausting journey some children are forced to take everyday in order to receive a form of education. It makes you feel very grateful and inspired to do something about it. See more Read all reviews
On the Way to School

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
Algorithms 77% 57% Algorithms Watchlist One Day on Earth 38% 62% One Day on Earth Watchlist Magic Camp 100% 75% Magic Camp Watchlist A Place at the Table 90% 73% A Place at the Table Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Four students from different parts of the world travel long distances to attend school.
Director
Pascal Plisson
Producer
Barthelemy Fougea
Screenwriter
Marie-Claire Javoy, Pascal Plisson
Distributor
Distrib Films
Production Co
Winds, Herodiade, Ymagis
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 6, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 27, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.3K
Runtime
1h 17m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings