WHATEVER IT TAKES chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the very first year of the Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics (BCSM), an innovative public high school set in New York City's notorious South Bronx. This deeply emotional, vérité-style documentary primarily examines the intertwined lives of two characters: Edward Tom, the school's visionary rookie principal, and Sharifea Baskerville, a spunky ninth-grade girl with big dreams but even bigger obstacles.
In an effort to help Sharifea succeed, Principal Edward Tom gets Sharifea into an exclusive summer program in Dartmouth College, one that could positively impact her life forever. However, Sharifea's family pressures, lack of motivation, and failing grades constantly threaten to undermine her path to success. The film's final act follows the principal and his staff working feverishly to preserve this opportunity for Sharifea.
A highly personal story with uncommon access, WHATEVER IT TAKES shows how love, commitment, and sacrifice can create lasting change.