Harper's headstrong daughter Brooke enrolls at Winslow High after she is kicked out of private school. Meanwhile, when Ronnie is disappointed that her class is not learning Shakespeare, her ex-suitor Matthew Baskin, who continues to pursue her, offers a unique way to reach her and her students.

A statutory-rape case entangles Ronnie with the enraged parents of the 15-year-old victim; an illicit-drug situation embroils Harper with his unsettled daughter

Harper reunites with his ex-wife at a holiday benefit; students ask Louisa, Marilyn and Marla to perform at the pageant; Senate stays mum about a student's tragic secret so that the boy's family can enjoy Christmas.

A revelation concerning Jeremy fractures the relationship between his mother and Guber; a plea from a death-row inmate troubles Harper; a student's ADD affliction disquiets Ronnie.

Tensions escalate among Meredith, Jeremy and Guber, who seek family counseling; controversy swirls around a student's class-project photo and a speech by Lipschultz.

Harper gets steamed when he finds out his daughter is dating a 27-year-old man; Guber and Senate's students get ready to rumble in a debate.

A student's illness rattles Senate, who's haunted by feelings of futility; a teen's eating disorder upsets Lauren, who's also unnerved by an web site advocating anorexia.

The students and teachers at Winslow High School deal with the tragedy of a car accident caused by a drunken driver; Senate tries to convince a man to keep his son in school; Marla and Meredith clash over teaching methods.

Controversy strikes Hanson's classroom over a reviled racial epithet; Ronnie draws ire for a class assignment to experience life as a homeless person.

One of Senate's most promising students and his brother become entangled in criminal acts with fatal results; Hanson draws criticism for sending a letter to a girl's parents because she is overweight.

Staff and students at Winslow High struggle to get on with their lives after a number of tragic events.

Young teachers join the faculty; students plan a walkout because of the administration's apparent lack of concern for student issues.

Senate's erratic behavior rattles Ronnie and prompts a telling showdown with Harper; pupil misconduct provokes a new teacher, whose youth belies grit.

Harper's meeting with a parent becomes heated; a new teacher stirs things up in the classroom; the teachers must evaluate one another.

Brooke feels guilty about leaving her father alone during the holidays; Lipschultz debates accepting his son's Christmas invitation; Marla and Kimberly are stranded at Doyle's during a snowstorm.

Harper has concerns about Brooke's infatuation with the star basketball player; Flynn is attracted to a student's mother; a boy enters an online auction to buy a night with a beautiful girl.

A star basketball player is on the verge of losing his eligibility to play; Becky tells Flynn her mother is having an affair.

Guber's speech team star has an issue, Russell decides on a college, while mixed signals rattle Colin as his affair comes to a close.

A shy student with a powerful voice belts out a song; Hanson tries to help a 12-year-old genius who has no friends.

Marla berates Aisha and the other performers in the school musical; the incumbent mayor grills Harper about low test scores; students land a juicy story about a teacher for their news broadcast.

Hanson's troubled sister drops off her 4-year-old daughter for him to watch; Marylin urges Aisha to stand up to her boyfriend; Ronnie and Marla vie for the position of assistant principal.

Tensions surface over Ronnie's new post; Aisha's participation in the school musical and her relationship with J.T.; Harvey's required recertification; and Danny's care for his niece.

Courtroom drama energizes Ronnie, who's defending two teens in a murder arraignment; high test scores by poor students prompt Guber's undercover investigation.

Sudden fame heartens Ronnie, credited for high exam scores posted at Winslow, yet she's also facing a romantic crisis with Zach; a student-council election tests a shy, awkward teen.

Aisha's ailing father leaves a song manuscript in her possession, and she writes lyrics for the melody.

Hanson asks Claire to marry him; a student uses rap music to critique Shakespeare; a producer pushes Aisha to sign a record deal; Lifehouse performs at Doyle's Bar.

A student writes a letter to Whitney Houston asking her to attend the prom with him; Harper tries to prevent teachers from being fired for budgetary reasons; Danny asks Claire's father for permission to marry her.