'PaperTigers'chroniclesayearinthelifeofLincolnHighSchoolinthecommunityofWallaWalla,Washington.ThekidswhocometoLincolnhaveahistoryoftruancy,behavioralproblemsandsubstanceabuse.AfterLincoln'sprincipalisexposedtoresearchabouttheeffectsofAdverseChildhoodExperiences(ACEs),hedecidestoradicallychangetheschool'sapproachtodiscipline.Withtheaidofdiarycamerafootage,thefilmfollowssixstudents.Fromgettingintofights,grapplingwithtraumaticeventsintheirlives,andonthecuspofdroppingout,theyfindhealing,supportandacademicpromiseatLincolnHigh.