The Passengers

The untold story of the most contaminated place in America and the people who live there. Running through St. James, Louisiana, there is an 85-mile industrial corridor, commonly known as “Cancer Alley” — home to some of the largest petrochemical plants in the country. The ones who cannot leave are anywhere between 50 to 500 times more likely to get cancer than the average American.

In one of the most notoriously underserved cities in the country, an innovative charter school works toward a reimagined future with a community-based approach to education. Weaving together the personal narratives of educators, students and families, "A School Grows in Watts" paints a lyrical, immersive portrait of a vibrant yet misunderstood community.