Kingdom Come School

Diana Ott. 1973. 16 mm Film.
Kingdom Come School follows teacher Harding Ison and his 22 students as they work, study, and play together during a typical day at the very last one-room schoolhouse in Letcher County. Students are seen doing cross-age tutoring, fixing lunch, working at the chalkboard, and receiving one-on-one instruction from the teacher at one of the last schools of its kind, while the film contrasts Ison’s views on the value of one-room school with the county school superintendent’s rationale for further consolidation. The film captures a moment in time and is a valuable data point in the ongoing debates about education in rural America today.
“It shows that there is more to education than new shiny buildings with indoor plumbing. This film captures the spirit of a true community school and a dedicated teacher.”- Hindman Settlement School
“No stronger case can be made for resisting over centralization and mechanization of the schools.”- Herb Kohl, author
“Showing this film practically guarantees enthusiastic discussion; education planners and curriculum specialists, as well as classroom teachers, will be challenged by it.”- Childhood Education
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