After Mr. Vane arranges for Mr. Novak to suddenly fly to Pennsylvania to visit his ailing father, the good, but completely broke son returns with a pile of hospital bills to be paid off, somehow.
Industrial arts teacher Carl Green conducts classes like a shop foreman, which provokes student Lee Darragh into taking violent action.
Musical vagabond Charlie O'Rourke decides to settle down after fifteen years of roaming and begins teaching. But his unorthodox ways bring consternation to the administrators of Jefferson High. Novak steps in to broker a compromise.
Troubled co-ed Edie transfers to Jefferson and her rebellious attitude soon turns off her teachers. But Novak detects a spark of interest from her in drama and manages to change Edie's attitude.
Young Donan has a promising future as the quarterback of Jefferson's football team. When the teen dies after an intense scrimmage his parents blames the rigorous workouts of the coach Lou Meyer.
JoJo and Ray are students who seemed to have vastly different futures. Novak decides to get involved and help both teenagers realize their potential.
One of Novak's promising students plans on dropping out and get married. The teacher does his best to change a few minds
Wayne Brice is a promising pitcher on the school team with a future as a professional. But Wayne is flunking Novak's class and he won't play unless his grade improves. Despite pressure Novak holds firm on an education's value.
The big debate tournament is out of town and advisor Novak is along for the trip. The team captain Verne is normally overconfident of his abilities but becomes withdrawn. Novak must learn why before the event.
Karen Parker is a brilliant student with a promising future. When Karen is up for a scholarship the pressure her parents put on their daughter becomes too much forcing Novak to intervene.
Novak steps in as advisor to an off campus boys club. But Novak is unprepared for the teen's rowdy behavior leading to a showdown with the young men.
It's discovered that a young girl who has just transferred to Jefferson High was tried and acquitted of killing her parents. The other students ostracize her and she becomes the subject of a whispering campaign, even among some of the teachers.
Anonymous letters are sent to the school administrators accusing Novak of having an affair with Ellen Westfall, a married teacher. Novak must find the perpetrator of the unsigned notes and have them repudiated.
Pre-teen Michael Brown is academically ready for high school but lacks the social skills of his fellow students. His classmates haze him including running his pants up the flag pole. Novak tries to help Michael's adjustment.
Chris Herrod, a student blind for a year as the result of an accident, tries to return to his studies but finds the strain too great.
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When Mr. Novak uncovers a tight knit group of four male students secretly living together in an unusual arrangement, he must also take on the person enabling the minors.
Novak is assigned to direct the year's edition of the faculty variety show. He expects smooth going until an instructor objects, considering the show unbecoming for Jefferson Highs teachers.
Despite the controversy of putting on the teacher's variety show Novak perseveres. The dedicated, instructor is determined to stage the best show possible.
Exchange instructor Javid arrives from Iran and is excited to work with American students to prepare them for college. To her dismay some of her brightest pupils would rather drop out to get married.
Administrator Albert Vane learns that Joe Stillman is running for state superintendent. Believing him ill suited for the job Vane resigns his position at Jefferson and runs against Stillman, not knowing how ruthless his opponent can be.
The teacher evaluations are due and most instructors are eager to keep their jobs by getting a good report. Bud Walker is the exception as he goes about his business already sure he'll be terminated at school's end.
Novak develops a romantic interest in Jean Corcoran, the new substitute teacher. But to his dismay Jean seems more invested in her new hobby of skydiving.
Social Studies teacher Frank Menlow and Novak join forces to conduct a student model United Nations. What started as a learning experience becomes divisive as the instructors are accused of promoting communism.
A student gets carried away with the traditional rivalry with a neighboring school. A violent riot results at a basketball game.
As a prank student Dick Sullivan invents the perfect student. The faculty all rave about the non-existent teenager giving the kids,a good laugh on their elders.
The school clock is ticking: Sister Gervais has three months to solve a multi-million dollar under-age problem, a dilemma that can't be accomplished from her convent.
Paul Ryder, a member of the debate squad, decides to take a side in a school bond issue. He becomes passionate in his advocacy and galvanizes the other students to action.
When a charismatic student receives a scholarship to a space academy, his rosy future takes a turn when he realizes his father's unattainable dreams are more important than his own.
Hank Nelby is more interested in making his fellow students laugh than getting good grades. After his mother Mrs. Nelby is notified about his failing, the prominent attorney blames the school and threatens legal action.