This movie brings true significance to the struggles of a demographic group of students who were veered towards a disruptive education and a corrupt system. “Lean On Me” shines significance on the struggles that students experience outside of schoolwork and within their ability to focus on attaining an education. This film in particular is a true story which highlights the many battles Eastside High experienced.  “Lean On Me” is based on a true story of a principal in the New Jersey high school. The Principal, Joe Clark, is hired in 1983 to run one of the worst schools in this state, which he previously had been principal of but had got fired due to a corrupted decision within the teachers. His mission was to turn this crime, drug, and graffiti infested school around completely in one year’s time. Clark must bring order and peace to this school and must also bring up the learning level of the students so they can pass the state’s minimum basic skills test. This goal was much harder than it had seemed, the school had been a completely different establishment than what he had left behind years ago.

Joe Clark played such a significant part in this movie because he constructed the level of superior authority and the amount of true influence that should be applied to those students whose understanding of what a school should be like was changed by the benefits of the instructors. Joe Clark was to enter that school and reconfigure not only the schools test scores but its student’s behavior, choices, and representation. Clark wanted to implicate discipline and a level of true respect and dignity towards him and the schools itself. He wanted to regain Eastside High’s reputation after being one of the top schools in the state. Once Clark re-entered the school, the students refused to adjust to his new policies and regulations.

Although, the students didn’t like the changes he implemented, those were the things that would show the students that he wouldn’t be standing for any disobedience not even from his own staff –the teachers. Throughout the movie the students weren’t the only ones that rebelled against Clark, teachers did as well. Teachers had to struggle to adjust to Clarks severe and unorthodox ways of approaching certain situations with the students. These confrontations with even Clarks own personal staff enabled the students to listen to open their eyes and accept the changes that were happening.

Clark had already built certain relationships with some of the students that were still in the school and it made it easier for him to cause a positive influence within each individual student. He showed how he personally cared for his students’ welfare, even beyond school. A student which seemed to have stood out to Clark had encountered an unplanned pregnancy and her daughter was now taking her place at Eastside High. Kaneesha had known Clark before he had left the school and trusted his intentions. Clark comes in contact with her daughter and contributes to their relationship, he makes Kaneesha see that her daughter can make a difference and will not get shoved to the side by education. Clark assures her that her daughter won’t fall into the same unfortunate footsteps and that he will oversee her personally. This section into the movie signifies a significant characteristic that embodies Clarks intentions because he showed his personal connection to the school as well as the students.

The movie results in having a happy ending, but with a lot of bumps in the road. Clark had encountered many disruptive obstacles that go beyond students, and with teachers, parents, and even the state. Clarks methods of isolating his students from the negative implications that surrounded them outside from the school, were in violation of education systems and in return did not look well towards his view by others in dislike of him. After a student had allowed a mysterious character into the school that caused danger to the students and Clark’s overall goal, he decided to chain in the doors of the school. This in return caused a lot of problems with the district and Board of Education during an inspection. The mayor decides to arrest Clark for his unorthodox and unsupported ways of educating. This in return causes his students to protest and fight for his release. The school meets its academic requirements and “Lean On Me” is concluded with the graduating class showing inspiration and change to what will be Eastside High.