After Billy is robbed, he has the class write papers on gun control, leading Arvid to a harrowing experience when he buys a gun for the assignment. (Part 1 of 2)
Alan thinks he is getting early admission to Harvard, but when he doesn't receive it, he's forced to eat the boastful words he dished out to his IHP classmates.
It's the first day back at school and there are some new additions to Mr. Moore's class. Maria transferred to the High School of Perfoming Arts, Jawarlahal's family moved to California, and Janice went Harvard. The new kids are Alex Torres, Aristotle McKenzie, and Viki Armory, who has crushes on her teachers.moreless
Fed up with Dennis' constant gags, Charlie shows him the door—to a remedial-history class—where Dennis becomes the inspirational leader for an acade meet against the IHP kids.
Dennis hopes to use the upcoming IHP trip to Russia to profit by selling coveted Western goods, while Eric pretends to have disdain for the whole affair.
The IHP are concerned when they learn a transfer student might join their class, making it necessary for one of them to leave. They fight over who it should be.
Charlie encourages the class to revitalize the school's literary journal, and the class votes Simone as editor-in-chief. Unfortunately, the power this position gives Simone slightly goes to her head. Meanwhile, Eric fabricates a memoir for the journal, which dishonestly wins him more attention from Simone.
After their team project wins them a trip to Washington, D.C., Sarah and Arvid develop slight feelings for each other. But things aren't necessarily a bed of roses between them.