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Season 1 – Abbott Elementary

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1:04

2021

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A group of dedicated, passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do -- even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

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Critics Consensus

Abbott Elementary earns top marks for its empathetic yet sidesplitting critique of the U.S. education system, plus some extra credit for a deftly handled will-they-won't-they dynamic.

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Alison Herman

The Ringer

Abbott Elementary is neither saccharine nor cynical in its treatment of systemic issues, an impressive balancing act that’s actually earned the acclaim it deserves.

Jul 9, 2022

Full Review

Dan Einav

Financial Times

For all the sharp, referential dialogue, cut-scenes and unexpected, throwaway gags, Abbott Elementary disarmingly succeeds in reminding us of the value of dedicated teachers who care for their students even when their own employers don’t care for them.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 20, 2022

Full Review

Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

This is one of the best surprises of the television year so far. And those 22-minute episodes are an absolute balm in the current age of demanding drama. That’s a lesson we can all learn.

Apr 1, 2022

Full Review

Tamma Moksha

The Hindu

A witty critique of the American education system.

Jun 12, 2024

Full Review

Ezequiel Boetti

Otroscines.com

Efficient and hilarious, though at times it gives you the sense that you've seen this before... and better. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Natalia Trzenko

La Nación (Argentina)

Without heavy-handed phrases or low blows, Abbott Elementary advocates for kindness and solidarity... [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 15, 2022

Full Review

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Salem K

It's perfection. Every character is fantastic, it's hilarious, and there's no boring episodes which is rare.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

THE NASHVILLE I

There's a breaking-in period with Abbott, but rest assured it's an enjoyable watch. The cast features some fresh faces and very engaging personalities you haven't been overexposed to. Overall everyone brings a sense of warmth and familiarity to the show. The type of humor and arcless storytelling gets redundant at times, but it's nevertheless a nice watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

Paul S

The show was really wholesome and entertaining, but I feel it relied on too many tropes that made The Office successful (such as the will-they-won't-they romance of the two leads and the oblivious boss). Despite its flaws, I had so much fun watching this season, and it is one of the most light-hearted shows I have ever seen. I definitely recommend it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

Full Review

Alan R

I'm about halfway through the first series of this show, and as a former Secondary School (US Middle and High School) English teacher, I'm just screaming with laughter every episode. The chemistry between the characters is perfect, the headteacher predictably useless and self-absorbed (I've worked for plenty of those) and the staff are just absolutely pitched just right and acted amazingly. I particularly love Barbara, she's hilarious! Quinta Brunson has clearly been a primary teacher in a past life! It's a must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

Full Review

Esra Y

Show has lots of potential and first season is a great Introduction to it's world and characters.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

Gary V

Woefully unfunny, not sure how this has so many positive reviews.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

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Quinta Brunson

Janine Teagues

Tyler James Williams

Gregory Eddie

Janelle James

Ava Coleman

Chris Perfetti

Jacob Hill

Lisa Ann Walter

Melissa Schemmenti

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Barbara Howard

Episode 1

Aired Dec 7, 2021

Pilot

Passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- are determined to help their students succeed.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Jan 4, 2022

Light Bulb

Janine takes it upon herself to fix every problem when she notices a flicking light bulb in the hallway; Gregory asks Barbara for help talking to a parent, which leads him to spend his lunch period in an unexpected way.

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Episode 3

Aired Jan 11, 2022

Wishlist

The teachers to ask the local community for new school supplies; Janine encourages Gregory to decorate his classroom.

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Episode 4

Aired Jan 18, 2022

New Tech

When a new computer program is introduced at Abbott, Janine is excited to finally help Barbara with something; Barbara is reluctant to accept change and finds herself in a tricky situation; Melissa surprises Jacob.

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Episode 5

Aired Jan 25, 2022

Student Transfer

After a negative teacher review, Janine gets a confidence boost when a student gets transferred from Melissa's class into hers; Jacob tries to forge a friendship with an uninterested Gregory.

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Episode 6

Aired Feb 1, 2022

Gifted Program

Janine convinces Ava to start a gifted program at Abbott led by Jacob; Barbara pushes a hesitant Melissa to start dating again.

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Episode 7

Aired Feb 8, 2022

Art Teacher

Janine is thrilled when her best friend from college is hired as the art teacher; Jacob and Barbara decide to start a school garden.

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Episode 8

Aired Feb 15, 2022

Work Family

After Jacob reveals a detail about his personal life, Janine realizes she doesn't know the other teachers as well as she thought; Gregory's stern teaching approach is causing his whole class to underperform.

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Episode 9

Aired Feb 22, 2022

Step Class

Ava asks Janine to help her teach the after-school step class, but they don't agree on how to run the program; Gregory must reveal a secret when Barbara, Melissa and Jacob plan a pizza "eat-off."

Details

Episode 10

Aired Mar 22, 2022

Open House

Janine prepares to meet her struggling student's mother during open house, while the rest of the faculty uses the time to relax; Gregory is taken aback when he learns how Ava got the principal job; Barbara's daughter's visit creates a commotion.

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Episode 11

Aired Mar 29, 2022

Desking

When the students start participating in a new online trend that causes disruption to the school, the teachers band together to put an end to it; Mr. Johnson provides comforting life advice to Gregory; the teachers finally meet Jacob's boyfriend.

Details

Episode 12

Aired Apr 5, 2022

Ava vs. Superintendent

With the school board threatening to pull their funds, Janine and Gregory decide to help Ava out with her presentation; their plan is derailed when a curveball is thrown at Ava; Barbara offends Melissa when she doesn't agree with her blackmail idea.

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Episode 13

Aired Apr 12, 2022

Zoo Balloon

While on Abbott's annual zoo field trip, Tariq reveals that he has been offered a job in New York; Janine struggles with a big choice; Barbara starts questioning her future after finding out her favorite tuatara has been retired because of old age.

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Abbott Elementary: Season 1 Trailer - Underfunded