Marla berates Aisha and the other performers in the school musical; the incumbent mayor grills Harper about low test scores; students land a juicy story about a teacher for their news broadcast.

Hanson's troubled sister drops off her 4-year-old daughter for him to watch; Marylin urges Aisha to stand up to her boyfriend; Ronnie and Marla vie for the position of assistant principal.

Tensions surface over Ronnie's new post; Aisha's participation in the school musical and her relationship with J.T.; Harvey's required recertification; and Danny's care for his niece.

Sudden fame heartens Ronnie, credited for high exam scores posted at Winslow, yet she's also facing a romantic crisis with Zach; a student-council election tests a shy, awkward teen.

Aisha's ailing father leaves a song manuscript in her possession, and she writes lyrics for the melody.

Hanson asks Claire to marry him; a student uses rap music to critique Shakespeare; a producer pushes Aisha to sign a record deal; Lifehouse performs at Doyle's Bar.

A student writes a letter to Whitney Houston asking her to attend the prom with him; Harper tries to prevent teachers from being fired for budgetary reasons; Danny asks Claire's father for permission to marry her.