At Ocean Front High School in Los Angeles, the final day of school is upon the students, marking a transition towards summer vacation. The indifferent gym teacher, Freddy Shoop](/actor/mark-harmon), is more interested in embarking on a trip to Hawaii with his young girlfriend, Kim, than in his responsibilities. However, a sudden turn of events forces him to reconsider when Vice Principal Phil Gills (Robin Thomas) informs the students that they are required to attend summer school. Compelled by circumstances, Shoop is handed the task of teaching a remedial English class after the original teacher, Carl Reiner, wins the lottery in a stroke of luck and promptly quits.
Shoop is subtly warned by Gills that refusing the position could jeopardize his chances for tenure, leaving him little room to maneuver. Consequently, while Kim jets off to Hawaii, Shoop begrudgingly remains behind to face the challenges of summer school. On his first day, he encounters Robin Bishop, an enticing teacher assigned next door. He finds himself infatuated with her, though she is already involved with Gills.
The day turns chaotic as many students choose to skip class. A particularly large student named Jerome (Duane Davis) mysteriously disappears after claiming to "visit the lavatory." A handful of remaining students includes the daydreamer Pam (Courtney Thorne-Smith), "nocturnal" Larry, a male stripper (Ken Olandt), football jock Kevin (Patrick Labyorteaux), pregnant Rhonda (Shawnee Smith), geeky Alan (Richard Steven Horvitz), dyslexic Denise (Kelly Jo Minter), and the horror-film-obsessed underachievers Dave (Gary Riley) and Chainsaw (Dean Cameron). Together, they must tackle the challenges of remedial English.
On that same eventful day, a stunning Italian transfer student, Anna-Maria (Fabiana Udenio), joins the class to learn English, much to the delight of Dave and Chainsaw. As Shoop confesses his lack of teaching expertise, the group begins their summer not with studies but with enjoyment, going to the beach, a theme park, and even a petting zoo, until Gills discovers their lack of official instruction.
Gills, frustrated with Shoop's lax approach, threatens to fire him unless all students pass their end-of-term tests. Desperate to motivate the kids, Shoop makes outrageous promises, vowing to provide individual favors to each student if they commit to their studies. This includes offering driving lessons to Denise, going to Lamaze classes with Rhonda, providing football coaching to Kevin, and allowing the group to throw a party at his house, which leads to some chaotic consequences. He even gives Chainsaw the green light to screen 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' in class, all while inviting Pam to stay with him for the summer due to her difficult home life.
Despite his laid-back demeanor, Shoop grapples with the complexities of teaching and begins forming bonds with his students. They all strive hard for their exam, acutely aware of Gills's looming threat of termination. A twist complicates matters when Shoop finds himself arrested while covering for Chainsaw and Dave, who are found with alcohol at the beach. After being bailed out by Robin and Gills, Shoop’s court hearing reveals a sympathetic judge who, recognizing Shoop's dedication to his students, dismisses the charges against him. In a turn of betrayal, Gills' true feelings for Shoop become apparent to Robin when she overhears his indifference toward her and Shoop, prompting her to confront Gills.
Meanwhile, Larry suffers a blow to his side gig as a stripper when both his aunt and mother come to his shows, leading him to reassess his choices. Feeling overwhelmed by his students' demands and the pressure from Gills, Shoop resigns in frustration. However, a change of heart occurs when his students rally to persuade him to return, resorting to horror-themed pranks that reflect their appreciation for him.
When it comes time to prepare seriously for the exam, Shoop is taken aback by Jerome's unexpected return after weeks of absence, his only excuse being, “My zipper got stuck.” To everyone's surprise, Jerome achieves the highest score in the class, securing a remarkable 91%.
As the test unfolds, Rhonda goes into labor, adding an unexpected twist to the day. Although some students fail to pass, Gills is resolute about fulfilling his threat of firing Shoop. Yet, the students’ parents come together to voice their support for him, recognizing the significant progress their children made under Shoop’s unconventional teaching style. Ultimately, Principal Kelban (Francis X. McCarthy) acknowledges Shoop’s positive influence and grants him tenure.
In a heartwarming finale, Shoop and Robin find happiness together, sharing a romantic kiss by the surf, reminiscent of scenes in From Here to Eternity. Their journey exemplifies the transformative power of dedication, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to learning.
