SCVi Charter School is kicking off a new series of documentary film presentations about pending shifts and meeting challenges in education — focusing on new approaches to helping children prepare to succeed as adults in a technologically oriented global economy.

The iLEAD Film Series starts Sept. 3 with a screening of “Most Likely to Succeed,” a critically acclaimed documentary about project-based learning that debuted at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The screenings will be open to the public at SCVi, founding campus of iLEAD Schools, located at 28060 Hasley Canyon Road, Castaic, in the Hasley Canyon Commerce Center.

“All of these films provide valuable insight into the challenges facing the U.S. education system and the innovation we need to prepare our children to think, lead, create, collaborate and succeed in the 21st century,” said Amber Raskin, co-founder of SCVi and iLEAD Schools. “They’re engaging, smartly produced films that will entertain and foster discussion in our community.”

The first three films in the series each take a different look at education in the context of a rapidly changing world:

* “Most Likely to Succeed,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 (donation only): Filmmaker Greg Whiteley provides a brief history of the outdated historical conventions that have shaped most American education, then examines new approaches as demonstrated by San Diego’s “High Tech High,” which uses project-based learning to help students see how their own ingenuity could have real-life applications. After previewing, Amber Raskin said of “Most Likely to Succeed”, “This film is a must see for any parent with a learner currently enrolled, or parents considering enrolling their child at SCVi or an iLEAD School.”

* “Race to Nowhere,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 (donation only): TakePart.com calls this film one of the “10 Education Documentaries You Don’t Want to Miss.” The film features the stories of students across the nation who are pushed to the limits by “over-scheduling, over-testing and the relentless pressure to achieve” in an education system that values test scores over real learning.

* “Beyond Measure,” 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 (tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door): Led by producer/director Vicki Abeles, the same team that created “Race to Nowhere” seeks to answer the next question: “If our current education culture isn’t working, what is?” The film takes a look at schools that have redesigned themselves, and educators who have brought forth fresh ideas and innovative methods to help students go beyond memorization and truly learn.

All three films will be screened in SCVi’s Shakespeare Theatre, and each will be followed by a group discussion. Parents and students are encouraged to participate.

Added Raskin: “We hope the community takes advantage of these opportunities to view these thoughtful and engaging films, and to participate in a fruitful discussion about new ways in which we can embrace the challenge of preparing our children for their future.”

SCVi offers project-based K-12 curriculum and student-led assessment with global and culturally diverse influences. The tuition-free charter school emphasizes an inquiry-based, learner-centered approach to education. SCVi’s primary goal is to help learners lead a successful and fulfilled life while contributing to the world around them. More information about SCVi and iLEAD Schools is available at www.ileadschools.org.