Recess: School's Out

T.J. Detweiler eagerly awaits the freedom and fun of summer vacation alongside his friends. His excitement signals the start of what he believes will be a carefree season full of mischief and adventures.

A group of men secretly infiltrate Third Street School, driven by hidden agendas. Their actions involve stealing sensitive projects and transforming the school into a base for their nefarious activities, unbeknownst to T.J. and his friends.

Feeling discouraged by the unfolding situation, T.J. decides to investigate the odd happenings at school. Faced with disbelief from his parents and the authorities, he remains determined to uncover the truth.

T.J. seeks assistance from Principal Prickly, who seems completely oblivious to the chaos occurring at the school. Things take a turn for the worse when Prickly mysteriously disappears as he nears the school building, increasing T.J.'s sense of isolation.

In a bid to reclaim his summer, T.J. persuades his older sister Becky to drive him around to collect his friends from various summer camps. Together, they plan to confront the unknown threat lurking at their school.

Upon returning to Third Street School, T.J. and his friends stumble upon what they first take to be trivial documents. The situation escalates dramatically when a massive laser shoots up from the rooftop, revealing the true extent of the threat they face.

With their summer plans in disarray, T.J. and his friends devise a strategy to balance their camp activities with late-night meetings. T.J. begins to confirm his suspicions about Principal Prickly's disappearance and their need for a rescue mission.

During their investigation, T.J. and his friends uncover that Principal Prickly's old associate, Dr. Phillium Benedict, is behind the school's takeover. Prickly shares a story of past betrayal that connects him with Benedict and highlights the latter's vengeful motives.

As Spinelli reviews the recovered documents, she uncovers a reference to 'lunar perigee.' Gretchen connects the dots and reveals that Benedict plans to manipulate the moon's path using a tractor beam, threatening a permanent end to summer break.

Realizing the severe implications of Benedict's plan, T.J.'s friends spring into action. They convince Becky to drive them back to the camps to gather all students, while Finster assembles the teachers for support against the impending crisis.

A massive showdown erupts at Third Street School as students and staff unite against Benedict's henchmen. In the chaos of the assembly, T.J. takes a pivotal stand as he confronts Benedict to prevent the catastrophe he has planned.

As tensions peak, T.J. directs Vince to throw a baseball at the beam, effectively destroying it and thwarting Benedict's malevolent scheme. Law enforcement arrives just in time to arrest him and his accomplices, ensuring safety returns to the school.

In the aftermath, T.J. and his friends decide to relish the remaining days of summer, thankful that they successfully fought for their freedom. The group comes together to celebrate their friendships and the adventures that lie ahead.

In a heartwarming conclusion, T.J. expresses his gratitude to Principal Prickly for guiding him through the harrowing experience. Prickly, in turn, reflects on the importance of his role in shaping young lives and playfully warns T.J. about the challenges awaiting him in September.