Noah is 16 years old, laid back, persistently late to school. His friends call him a genius. He shrugs off such praise – says he just does "what he's supposed to do." He's right. He passes his classes and state tests when he's supposed to pass them.

But, in a segregated school accustomed to remediation, passing can be a rare feat.

Noah's educational journey – full of twists and turns, successes and setbacks – provides an introduction to New York City's separate and unequal schools.

This is the first in a two-episode series on Noah.