Reform School Girl

Donna escapes her guardian-bound life by taking a ride in a stolen car with the reckless Vince. Their impulsive escape leads to a hit-and-run that drags them into criminal trouble. The incident seals Donna's fate and pushes her toward a harsh future she cannot easily escape.

Donna is sent to McCarthy Reform School for Wayward Girls to take the fall for Vince because she cannot identify him. She fears that her uncle will now turn his attention toward her younger sister Cathy. The transfer marks the beginning of a locked-down life she must endure.

On the way to the reform school, Donna is befriended by Dink, a kleptomaniac, and she meets the other girls. The initial camaraderie sets up complex relationships that will influence later choices. The environment is rough, but a fragile sense of community forms among the detainees.

Donna resists the advances of the reform school's psychologist, who accuses her of using seduction to escape punishment. The confrontation underscores the oppressive control within the institution. This moment foreshadows ongoing power struggles with authority.

During an exercise break, Coach Buxbaum notices Donna's speed and informs Headmistress Turnbull. Turnbull offers an early release if Donna can win a track competition at Velmont Academy. The incentive shifts Donna's aim from escape to athletic achievement.

Turnbull awards Priscilla a silver medallion for running, but Dink steals it, triggering a fight. Dink injures Priscilla's knee, and as punishment Dink is sent away. Priscilla is left unable to compete in the upcoming events.

Donna becomes intimate with Carmen Peña, the reform school's fastest runner. Carmen refuses to compete for Turnbull because she doesn't want to owe anything. The relationship adds emotional stakes to the forthcoming contests.

Vince befriends Cathy and visits Donna in prison, explaining he has been arrested for grand theft auto. The police are trying to connect him to the hit-and-run, and he warns Donna that he will hurt her sister if she talks. The tension between loyalty and truth intensifies.

Seeing Donna's distress after a visit from her uncle and sister, Turnbull revokes Donna's phone privileges to push her to compete. The move is a calculated manipulation to test her resolve. It highlights Turnbull's tightening grip over the girls' futures.

Carmen calls Cathy and reveals money hidden behind Donna's mirror. This knowledge sets Cathy on a path toward independence and escape. The moment reveals how secrets and schemes weave through the girls' lives.

Cathy discovers the hidden money and is pressed by her uncle to surrender it. She sprays him with perfume, escapes with the money, and heads to Kansas by bus. The act marks Cathy's bold bid for freedom and safety.

Priscilla reports the relationship between Donna and Carmen to Turnbull, but only Carmen is punished so that Donna can still compete in Kansas. The punishment imbalance underscores the headmistress's prioritization of the upcoming competition. This sets the stage for the big meet in Kansas.

At Velmont Academy, Donna wins a sprint event while Jody Beaumont wins the hurdles and breaks the long jump record. The meet intensifies rivalries and tests the girls' endurance. The results raise the stakes for the final relay.

In the 4x440-yard relay, Donna and Jody are in the last slot. Donna overtakes Jody but stops short of the finish, remembering Dink's fate and her sister's safety, and gives Turnbull the finger. Jody steals the win as Donna's protest ends the race. The moment crystallizes Donna's defiance over obedience.

Back at the reform school, Donna receives a letter from her sister declaring she is safe in Kansas. The news brings a fragile sense of relief but also leaves Donna contemplating an uncertain future. The film closes on a note of hopeful survival.