best episodes of Abbott Elementary poster

In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

4 Seasons
70 Episodes
Returning Series
Comedy
Cast & Characters
episode image Volunteers
8.7/10 (901 votes)

#1 Volunteers

S4:E9

Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott; however, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.

episode image Party
8.6/10 (764 votes)

#2 Party

S3:E14

It’s the last day of school! Ahead of summer vacation, Janine throws the perfect end-of-year party for her colleagues and friends, taking all their interests into consideration.

episode image Teacher Conference
8.5/10 (1064 votes)

#3 Teacher Conference

S2:E16

The Abbott staff heads to the Pennsylvania Educational Conference. Gregory reluctantly attends after a disagreement with Amber and bonds with Janine over their similarities. Jacob finds himself charmed by the Addington teachers.

episode image Festival
8.5/10 (920 votes)

#4 Festival

S2:E19

Abbott Elementary rallies together to fight the threat from Legendary Charter Schools. Ava pitches a festival to draw parents to school and collect their signatures for a petition. However, Draemond shows up with the intention of derailing the event.

episode image Winter Break
8.5/10 (520 votes)

#5 Winter Break

S4:E8

Melissa hosts the Schemmenti family Christmas Eve dinner and goes to great lengths to make sure everything is perfect. Meanwhile, Janine and Gregory get an unexpected guest.

episode image Work Family
8.4/10 (1408 votes)

#6 Work Family

S1:E8

After Jacob reveals a detail about his personal life, Janine realizes she doesn't know the other teachers as well as she thought; Gregory's stern teaching approach is causing his whole class to underperform.

episode image Candy Zombies
8.3/10 (1148 votes)

#7 Candy Zombies

S2:E6

It’s Halloween at Abbott Elementary! When a student steals a bag of candy meant to be given out to the kids at the end of the day and starts distributing it during school hours, the teachers band together to find the culprit. Meanwhile, Janine is invited to a Halloween party by an old friend and starts to reconsider her personal life.

episode image Zoo Balloon
8.2/10 (1183 votes)

#8 Zoo Balloon

S1:E13

While on Abbott's annual zoo field trip, Tariq reveals that he has been offered a job in New York; Janine struggles with a big choice; Barbara starts questioning her future after finding out her favorite tuatara has been retired because of old age.

episode image Smoking
8.2/10 (906 votes)

#9 Smoking

S3:E4

After a student is caught smoking, the Abbott staff come together to revamp the outdated drug policy. Meanwhile, Janine tries to prep the new substitute teacher for her class but finds it challenging to give up her former role.

episode image Desking
8.1/10 (1212 votes)

#10 Desking

S1:E11

When the students start participating in a new online trend that causes disruption to the school, the teachers band together to put an end to it. Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson provides comforting life advice to Gregory; and later, the teachers finally meet Jacob’s boyfriend, Zach, who joins in to help stop the students “desking.”

episode image Development Day
8.1/10 (1187 votes)

#11 Development Day

S2:E1

The teachers are back for development week, a time to prepare for the upcoming year. Janine is determined to start the year off right and leave her problems at home. Ava runs a side hustle out of the school parking lot.

episode image Sick Day
8.1/10 (998 votes)

#12 Sick Day

S2:E9

Janine is out sick for the day; but with the substitute teacher shortage, Ava grows desperate and must step in herself to help out. She starts the day in an unconventional fashion, disrupting the students’ typical routine as well as neighboring classrooms. Meanwhile, Barbara and Melissa revel in the quieter-than-normal teacher’s lounge.

episode image Holiday Hookah
8.1/10 (1015 votes)

#13 Holiday Hookah

S2:E10

On the last day of school before winter break, Janine is convinced by her friend to go to a popular hookah club where she runs into unexpected colleagues. Elsewhere, Jacob crashes Barbara and Melissa's traditional holiday dinner and in the process begins to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

episode image Valentine's Day
8.1/10 (919 votes)

#14 Valentine's Day

S2:E14

On Valentine’s Day, the Abbott teachers discuss their relationships and plans for the holiday. Janine finds out one of her students has a crush on her and when turning to a colleague for advice, she inadvertently learns a secret about another teacher. Elsewhere, Ava sits in on Jacob’s Black History class after receiving a complaint

episode image Educator of the Year
8.1/10 (823 votes)

#15 Educator of the Year

S2:E20

Gregory is named Educator of the Year. Later, Janine deals with a difficult student, and it's revealed that Barbara hasn't completed her teaching requirements.

episode image Mom
8.1/10 (844 votes)

#16 Mom

S2:E21

Janine's plan for a Memorial Day weekend solo trip is derailed when her mother shows up unannounced asking for help; Gregory notices his colleagues are great at small talk and realizes he needs to brush up on his people skills.

episode image Franklin Institute
8.1/10 (833 votes)

#17 Franklin Institute

S2:E22

Abbott Elementary takes a field trip to the Franklin Institute; Gregory is eager to spend time with a reluctant Janine; Ava teaches the students about aliens, which leads to chaos.

episode image Smith Playground
8.1/10 (627 votes)

#18 Smith Playground

S3:E13

Jacob manages to pull off a schoolwide field trip to the park; however, when Abbott must share the playground, the fun and games turn competitive. Elsewhere, Mr. Johnson enjoys having an empty school to himself.

episode image Open House
8.0/10 (1184 votes)

#19 Open House

S1:E10

It’s Open House night at Abbott Elementary, and while Janine prepares to meet her struggling student’s mother, the rest of the faculty uses the time to relax. Gregory is taken aback when he learns how Ava got the principal job, and later, Barbara’s daughter’s visit creates a commotion in more ways than one when

episode image Read-a-Thon
8.0/10 (920 votes)

#20 Read-a-Thon

S2:E11

The competition heats up between Melissa and Janine as their classrooms go head-to-head in a read-a-thon sponsored by a local pizza shop. Both teachers encourage their students to hit the books hard but face some unexpected obstacles on their path to pizza glory. Meanwhile, Jacob and Gregory join forces and attempt to get their student-podcasting club off the ground.

episode image Fundraiser
8.0/10 (924 votes)

#21 Fundraiser

S2:E13

Barbara organizes a candy-selling fundraiser to raise money for a school field trip to the science museum. When sales don’t go as planned, Ava steps in to teach the students new, unconventional selling tactics. Elsewhere, Mr. Johnson and Jacob butt heads about how to take care of a cat found in the janitor’s closet.

episode image Teacher Appreciation
8.0/10 (865 votes)

#22 Teacher Appreciation

S2:E18

It’s Teacher Appreciation Day. When the district gives Abbott two courtside tickets to a 76ers game, the teachers must decide who deserves them. Later, Janine invites the teachers to her house for game night and her sister, Ayesha, comes to visit.

episode image Career Day (1) / Career Day (2)
8.0/10 (862 votes)

#23 Career Day (1) / Career Day (2)

S3:E1

It's a new year at Abbott Elementary, and Janine is as eager as ever. She plans a district-wide initiative - Career Day - and is anxious for it to be a success. Meanwhile, Ava has a new approach to her job, and Melissa is asked a surprising question.

episode image Librarian
8.0/10 (744 votes)

#24 Librarian

S3:E7

Janine spearheads a pilot program that brings a librarian to Abbott; however, when friction arises with one of the teachers, it strains Janine's relationships with both parties. Meanwhile, both Melissa and Jacob deal with some big changes at home.

episode image Winter Show
8.0/10 (483 votes)

#25 Winter Show

S4:E7

Despite a few setbacks, Barbara is determined to make Abbott Elementary’s first-ever holiday show a success. Meanwhile, Jacob’s brother arrives for his visit earlier than planned.

episode image Girard Creek
8.0/10 (341 votes)

#26 Girard Creek

S4:E12

The Abbott Elementary students and staff are invited to a special grand opening preview of the Girard Creek Golf Club.

episode image District Budget Meeting
8.0/10 (319 votes)

#27 District Budget Meeting

S4:E14

Ava and the Abbott teachers plan for the annual school district budget meeting. Janine and Gregory prepare for Valentine's Day as a couple

episode image 100th Day of School
8.0/10 (296 votes)

#28 100th Day of School

S4:E15

During Abbott's 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter; Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.

episode image Step Class
7.9/10 (1231 votes)

#29 Step Class

S1:E9

Janine is thrilled when Ava asks to help her teach the after-school step class, but the two don’t see eye to eye on how to run the program. Later, when Barbara, Melissa and Jacob plan an “eat-off” to decide who makes the best pizza in Philadelphia, Gregory is forced to reveal a secret

episode image Ava vs. Superintendent
7.9/10 (1109 votes)

#30 Ava vs. Superintendent

S1:E12

With the school board threatening to pull their funds, Janine and Gregory decide to help Ava out with her presentation in front of the Superintendent. However, their plan is derailed when a curveball is thrown at Ava. Meanwhile, Barbara offends Melissa when she doesn’t agree with her blackmail idea.

episode image Wrong Delivery
7.9/10 (1062 votes)

#31 Wrong Delivery

S2:E2

After Janine gets a look at the new charter school down the street, she becomes determined to fix up Abbott and make it just as good. As Gregory goes out of his way to avoid Barbara due to an awkward situation with his personal life, and Ava takes to the school library to host a “Shark Tank”-style pitch to decide what to do with the rest of the funds from the grant.

episode image Ringworm
7.9/10 (585 votes)

#32 Ringworm

S4:E2

When it’s revealed that a student in Jacob’s class has ringworm, the faculty must band together to stop it from spreading through the entire school.

episode image Dad Fight
7.9/10 (523 votes)

#33 Dad Fight

S4:E5

Gregory forms a bond with one of his students, but the student’s dad becomes jealous of their relationship and seeks a confrontation. Melissa suffers a fall but avoids receiving medical attention for the injury.

episode image Wishlist
7.8/10 (1511 votes)

#34 Wishlist

S1:E3

The teachers to ask the local community for new school supplies. Janine takes to TikTok and with Ava’s assistance, her video is a success and goes viral. Janine encourages Gregory to decorate his classroom.

episode image The Principal's Office
7.8/10 (1010 votes)

#35 The Principal's Office

S2:E4

After Gregory sends a disruptive student to the principal’s office, he’s dismayed to find out the kids actually enjoy spending the supposed disciplinary time with Ava. Meanwhile, Melissa invites Janine over to her house to teach her how to cook, but Janine becomes determined to reunite Melissa with her estranged sister

episode image Egg Drop
7.8/10 (963 votes)

#36 Egg Drop

S2:E8

When the eighth-grade science class participates in an egg drop activity, Janine insists her second-grade class joins in. Even when the science teacher and Gregory tell her that her students aren’t ready for physics lessons, Janine is determined to prove them wrong. Then, when Barbara is shocked at the clothing one of her student’s parents wears, she learns to not judge someone solely based on their appearance.

episode image Willard R. Abbott
7.8/10 (756 votes)

#37 Willard R. Abbott

S3:E6

Abbott Elementary is deemed a Philadelphia historical landmark, much to Ava and Janine’s delight; however, Barbara and Melissa are not as impressed. The school plans a celebration in honor of its namesake, but not everything goes as planned.

episode image Back to School
7.8/10 (584 votes)

#38 Back to School

S4:E1

The neighboring construction site of a new golf course causes issues at Abbott, forcing the teachers to find creative solutions; an HR representative visits the school; following their kiss, Janine and Gregory's relationship status is revealed.

episode image Class Pet
7.8/10 (536 votes)

#39 Class Pet

S4:E3

Janine gets a budget for class pets, but Melissa is resistant to taking on the added work and responsibility for her room's guinea pig; an IT rep from the school district arrives to set up new computers.

episode image Costume Contest
7.8/10 (526 votes)

#40 Costume Contest

S4:E4

It’s Halloween at Abbott Elementary! Janine and Gregory proudly show off their couple’s costume, but it fails to translate. Meanwhile, Barbara faces pushback from parents concerned about hygiene and her beloved apple-bobbing tradition.

Cast & Chracters

character image Janine Teagues

Janine Teagues

Actor: Quinta Brunson
character image Gregory Eddie

Gregory Eddie

Actor: Tyler James Williams
character image Barbara Howard

Barbara Howard

Actor: Sheryl Lee Ralph
character image Melissa Schemmenti

Melissa Schemmenti

Actor: Lisa Ann Walter
character image Jacob Hill

Jacob Hill

Actor: Chris Perfetti
character image Ava Coleman

Ava Coleman

Actor: Janelle James
character image Mr. Johnson

Mr. Johnson

Actor: William Stanford Davis

The highest rated episode of Abbott Elementary is "Volunteers" (S4E9) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 901 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "New Tech" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 1,384 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Work Family" (S1E8) with a rating of 8.40.

This episode received 1,408 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "New Tech" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 1,384 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Teacher Conference" (S2E16) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 1,064 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Story Samurai" (S2E3) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 1,026 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Party" (S3E14) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 764 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Panel" (S3E8) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 726 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Volunteers" (S4E9) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 901 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Testing" (S4E10) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 377 votes.

Name Department Job
Brian Rubenstein Production Co-Executive Producer
Justin Halpern Production Executive Producer
Patrick Schumacker Production Executive Producer
Quinta Brunson Production Executive Producer
Randall Einhorn Production Executive Producer
Ross Cavanaugh Production Co-Producer
Scott Sites Production Producer

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