Night School

Night School

Year: 2017

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Andrew Cohn

Echo Score: 63

Budget: $29M

Documentary

Greg, Melissa, and Shynika are determined to earn their high school diplomas in Indianapolis, where dropping out is a widespread problem. They join Night School, an unconventional program designed to help adults finish what they started. Faced with unique challenges and quirky instructors, they navigate the obstacles in their lives while striving to achieve this life-changing goal and build a brighter future for themselves.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Night School (2017)

Trace every key event in Night School (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Teddy Drops Out of School

In 2001, high school student Teddy Walker struggles to concentrate during a crucial test and ultimately decides to drop out of school. His experience as a school bully and his popular, arrogant demeanor couldn't mask the deep-seated issues he faced academically.

2001 High School
2

Teddy's New Life

Years later, in 2018, Teddy is working as a successful barbecue grill salesman and is dating a wealthy woman named Lisa. Despite appearing confident and financially stable, he has managed to create a facade hiding his actual struggles.

2018
3

Explosion at the Store

During a romantic proposal to Lisa in the store, Teddy accidentally ignites a disastrous explosion by popping a champagne cork near a gas tank. The incident results in him losing his job, while the store's manager takes the insurance money and disappears.

Barbecue Grill Shop
4

Learning About the GED Requirement

After losing his job, Teddy learns from his best friend Marvin that he could work at Marvin's investment firm, but he needs to obtain a GED. Faced with limited options, he decides to return to his old high school to try and get the necessary qualification.

High School
5

Encounter with Principal Stewart

Upon returning to his old high school, Teddy discovers that the new principal is Stewart, the very person he bullied years ago. This encounter makes Teddy's attempts to charm his way into a GED even more complicated, reflecting his past mistakes.

High School
6

Joining Night School

Teddy manages to enroll in night school, taught by the unconventional teacher Carrie. Initially, he struggles with focus and concentration issues, which complicates his path to earning the GED.

Night School
7

Deceiving Lisa

While attending night school, Teddy fabricates a lie to Lisa, claiming he has secured a job with Marvin. In truth, he is working at a local fast-food restaurant to support himself while trying to earn his GED.

8

The Class Struggles Together

Teddy's night school classmates, including hardworking mom Theresa and hipster Mila, face their own challenges as they all aim for their GED. Teddy encourages them to break the rules, leading to an ill-fated plan to steal the test answers.

Night School
9

Expulsion from Night School

After the attempted cheating, Teddy takes the blame when Carrie discovers what's been going on, leading to his expulsion from night school. This moment marks a turning point for him as he reflects on his behavior.

Night School
10

Identifying Learning Disabilities

Upon returning to Carrie, Teddy requests a test for learning disabilities, revealing that he suffers from dyslexia and other processing issues. This revelation allows Carrie to create new teaching strategies tailored to help Teddy succeed.

Night School
11

Prom Night Invitation

In a show of unity, Teddy invites his classmates to attend the senior prom. However, this joyful gesture is overshadowed when Lisa arrives at the school, revealing the extent of Teddy's lies and leading to their breakup.

High School
12

Breaking Point

Heartbroken after his breakup with Lisa, Teddy contemplates giving up on night school and his GED. However, during a visit from Carrie and a remorseful Stewart, both encourage him to persevere.

13

Persistence in Testing

Despite his initial failures, Teddy continues to take the GED test multiple times over the course of four attempts. His determination showcases his commitment to bettering himself and achieving his goals.

14

Graduation Ceremony

At the graduation ceremony, Teddy delivers a heartfelt speech on behalf of his classmates celebrating their journeys and the importance of second chances. Lisa witnesses his growth and change during this pivotal moment.

Graduation
15

Reconnecting with Lisa

After the graduation ceremony, Teddy sincerely apologizes to Lisa for lying and misrepresenting himself. They share a moment where Teddy proposes a new start, and Lisa agrees to a date, but now under her terms.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Unlock the Full Story of Night School

Don't stop at just watching — explore Night School in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Night School is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Night School Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Night School, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Night School Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Night School

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Night School

Night School Spoiler-Free Summary

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Night School Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Night School

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More About Night School

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