The school board convenes to introduce Miss Evelyn Togar (Mary Woronov), the new principal of Vince Lombardi High School, after the previous principal succumbed to madness due to the unruly student body. During the meeting, Riff Randell (P.J. Soles) and her socially awkward friend Kate Rambeau (Dey Young) hijack the school's PA system to crank up the volume with a raucous rendition of "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker." However, the celebration is short-lived as Miss Togar swiftly puts an end to their party by handing them detention slips. She sternly informs the students that Vince Lombardi High holds the dismal title of having the worst academic performance in California, attributing it to the students' obsession with rock music, which has driven three principals into mental breakdowns.
Determined to regain control, Miss Togar pledges to transform the school into a place of learning, inciting fear among the students who swiftly disperse to their classes. Meanwhile, Kate harbors a crush on the quarterback, Tom Roberts (Vincent Van Patten), who is infatuated with Riff but struggles to express his feelings. Shy by nature, Tom resorts to consulting the school's fixer, Eaglebauer (Clint Howard), who operates out of the boys' restroom. Eaglebauer promises to help Tom secure a date with Riff, but complications arise when Kate requests his assistance in landing a date with Tom as well.
Riff, an aspiring singer-songwriter, is eager to share her composition "Rock 'n' Roll High School" with her beloved band, the Ramones, particularly their lead singer, Joey Ramone. As Miss Togar's two geeky hall monitors, Fritz Hansel (Loren Lester) and Fritz Gretel (Daniel Davies), are dispatched to summon teachers to analyze the dubious effects of rock music, Riff coordinates a girls' gym class concert when left unsupervised.
While preparing for the anticipated Ramones concert, Riff stands first in line to secure tickets, but comedic hurdles ensue when Kate fabricates increasingly absurd excuses to cover Riff's absence from school. The competition intensifies when a groupie named Angel Dust (Lynn Farrell) infringes on Riff's spot in line, generating tension just as the Ramones arrive in style.
After Riff successfully purchases 100 tickets and distributes them at school, Miss Togar gets wind of the event and commands the girls to relinquish their tickets. With the girls defiant, Togar sends her minions to confiscate the tickets forcefully. Feeling dejected, they retreat to Riff's house, where budding friendships and romantic entanglements unfold.
As concert night arrives, the atmosphere buzzes with excitement, yet the absurdities continue, including a mouse nearly denied entry due to rumors of exploding rock music. When introduced by Screamin' Steve Stevens (Don Steele), Riff seizes the moment to declare, > "On behalf of the students from Vince Lombardi High who are here tonight, I'd just like to say one thing: Screw you, Principal Togar, we made it to the concert anyway!"
When the Ramones take the stage, Riff and Kate revel in the music, gradually overcoming their inhibitions. Amidst the performer's antics, Riff gets to pass her song to Joey, signifying a potential realization of her dreams. However, the chaos draws the ire of Miss Togar and her staff, who attempt to thwart the concert.
The plot thickens as the students organize a spirited rebellion against the principal's oppressive regime, culminating in an explosive rally against Miss Togar’s governing authority. The Ramones arm the students with the ultimate rock anthem that calls for freedom, resulting in the school succumbing to wild celebration and music. As chaos ensues, Miss Togar's mental state deteriorates, ultimately leading her to accept the futility of her reign.
In an uproarious climax, Riff detonates a bomb in a last-ditch effort for liberation, leading to a spectacular explosion of the school. As law enforcement arrives to restore order, the joyful students exit into the night while Miss Togar is taken away in a straight-jacket, echoing the fate of her predecessors. The scene concludes with the students gleefully anticipating their next adventure, embodying the spirit of rock and roll.
