Jerri is told she must help Principal Blackman out by turning snitch and rooting out the school retard if she wants to go on the class trip to Good Time Island.

Jerri has a difficult time in Noblet's class when she's asked to read from Moby Dick. When she realizes that cheerleaders get all the guys, plus they're treated with kid gloves in class, she decides to try out for the Donkettes squad. She learns right away that cheerleaders need to know how to spell. Her illiteracy is quickly revealed and Jerri is immediately subjected to complete humiliation.

Someone hits Mr. Jellineck with their car, and the whole school is turned upside-down trying to find the culprit. Meanwhile, Jerri wrestles with her conscience, and Mr. Noblet considers revealing his secret feelings for Geoffrey in an effort to encourage his recovery.

When Jerri discovers her American Indian heritage, she attends a camp run by a councilor who teaches adopted Indian children about aspects of their culture, such as alcoholism and gambling.

Jerri and class hunk Laird are having a fling, but he is insistent on keeping it a secret. So Jerri finds herself forced to hide out in odd places like Laird's locker, the trunk of his car, a trash can, etc., so they can continue their secret rendezvous. Meanwhile, Jerri's stepmother experiences relationship troubles with Stew, prompting an unusual bonding moment between stepmother and stepdaughter.

Jerri's new daddy Stew starts to act very strangely, which makes Jerri reluctant to bring him to class for Occupation Week.