The Class

In the East Bay community of Antioch, CA the students of Deer Valley High School and their college adviser Mr. Cam are filled with expectations as they near their final year of high school. But when COVID lockdowns threaten their hopes for senior year, Mr. Cam’s students must grapple with a changed world amid the challenges of applying to college.

While school continues with online learning, students organize a protest against the decision to put police officers on campus. Ebei and Kadynce hold out hope that sports will come back, and Ahmad continues playing AAU basketball to get the attention of recruiters. As mid-semester nears more than 50% of students have at least one F, leaving Mr. Cam to wonder how the system is failing the students.

With no end to the COVID lockdowns in sight, students wrestle with motivation to apply to college. Mr. Cam does his best to keep track of all his students, but some of them have stopped showing up for meetings, and he worries that they’re giving up. In a final push, the DVHS seniors scramble to submit their applications by the deadline.

As the seniors wait to hear back from colleges, the impact of spending nearly a year learning online takes its toll on their mental health. Hope arrives with the rollout of the COVID vaccine, and as case numbers begin to fall, DVHS announces the return of some sports. Ebei and Kadynce try out for cheer, Ahmad plays football, and Mr. Cam finally hears from one of his missing student.

Decision letters start to arrive! Ebei is back on the track while Ahmad hopes for a basketball season. With colleges receiving more applications than ever during COVID, rejections are on the rise, and therefore, Mr Cam has to help his students navigate their future plans. Ebei and Kadynce wait to hear back from their dream schools, Javonte weighs his options, and Raven worries about financial aid.

It’s two weeks until Decision Day, and Kadynce is still undecided. Javonte makes a surprise announcement. Raven gets unexpected news, and Ebei plans her last ASB event. Mr. Cam works with Emily and Ahmad to get them across the finish line, and an unprecedented senior year culminates with one final celebration and send-off for the Deer Valley High School Class of 2021.