Ernest Goes to School

The Chickasaw Falls High School faces closure and a merger with neighboring schools. A new rule requires all employees to hold a high school diploma, which Ernest lacks due to an incomplete transcript. Facing resignation or redoing the twelfth grade, Ernest chooses to enroll again and pursue the diploma.

Ernest reluctantly becomes part of the student body and attends regular classes, trying to blend in with his peers. He participates in typical student activities but is constantly derailed by mishaps and distractions. The challenge is to balance school life with his janitorial past and the new expectations.

The principal informs Ernest that he is failing and questions the viability of the experiment. Two science teachers reveal their brain accelerator and recruit him as their 'Human Guinea Pig.' The trial is deemed successful, and Ernest gains a dramatic boost in intelligence.

With the accelerator's effect, Ernest masters math, drama, and music at a remarkable pace. His newfound brilliance earns admiration from teachers but also makes him snobbish, which alienates some of his friends. The transformation brings opportunity but also social friction at school.

Ms. Flugal elevates Ernest to the role of conductor for the marching band. He designs demanding routines and asserts a controlling presence, insisting everyone watch him for every move. The assignment raises the stakes for the upcoming halftime show.

Two bullies secretly observe Ernest recharging his brainpower in his locker and uncover the truth about the accelerator. They sabotage the device right before the crucial football game, turning Ernest's secret into a vulnerability. The situation threatens his ability to perform at the expected level.

During the football game, Ernest cannot recharge and struggles to direct the band with his usual brilliance. In a chaotic moment, his head ends up stuck in a tuba, triggering a cascade of mishaps that dampen the crowd's spirits. The disastrous display strains everyone involved.

Wallowing in disappointment, Ernest is consoled by a few friends who mock him before rallying him to focus on the final exam. They push him through days of intense study, determined to salvage his future despite the setback. The pressure solidifies his resolve to prove himself.

The scientists return to announce that the brain accelerator has been repaired. Ernest considers using it again but ultimately decides to take the final exam without the device, staying true to his friends and his own effort. This choice reinforces his personal growth and loyalty.

During the district championship game, the board inspector tries to influence the outcome by bribing the coach to lose. The motive is to push the merger forward by demonstrating the need for change to the school board. The tension between integrity and ambition reaches a peak at the game.

Four band members slip away to disrupt the scheme and, with the help of the science teachers, infiltrate the locker room using sleeping gas to replace the team with the band replacements. The replacements take the field and threaten to win against the fixed outcome. The audacious plan hinges on the element of surprise.

The science team unveils a new brain accelerator, and Ernest powers up to become the quarterback with enhanced, strategic playmaking. His smart plays shift the game's momentum in the replacements' favor, generating a fresh surge of confidence among his teammates. The crowd begins to believe in a comeback.

In the final moment, Ernest forgets to recharge and briefly loses his elevated intellect. He nonetheless pulls off a miraculous play, rolling on a drum and making a catch for the winning touchdown. The improbable finish halts the fixation on the merger and crowns the team’s victory.

The victory ensures Chickasaw Falls High remains open, and the inspector and coach face dismissal for their actions. Ernest passes the final exam and earns his high school diploma, confirming his right to keep his job. The story closes with a sense of closure and renewed purpose for Ernest.