Frustrated by students she perceives as provincial and unwilling to marry her wealthy suitor, George Jenkins, Miss Brodie seeks an appointment at the elite Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh.

Newly arrived in Edinburgh, Miss Brodie gives a dramatic speech, meets her students, offends the conservative Miss Gaunt, and draws the attention of handsome and married art teacher Teddy Lloyd.

Having fallen under the spell of their passionate, charismatic teacher, students Sandy and Jenny fuel their romantic fantasies with made-up stories and try to convince Miss Brodie to tell them the facts of life.

An admirer of all thing Italian, including Mussolini and fascism, Miss Brodie develops a special interest in an Italian student. When the girl's father explains the real reason for the family's move to Edinburgh, Miss Brodie maintains her support for Mussolini.

After Miss Brodie mistakenly concludes that one of her students, the beautiful young Rose, is a poor, neglected orphan, she lavishes her with attention, causing jealousy and resentment among the other girls.

The famous ballerina Anna Pavlova is coming to Edinburgh. Miss Brodie insists that her girls experience this important cultural event, and enthusiastically predicts the future stardom of one of her students.

Graceless, unkempt Mary is the opposite of the well-groomed, confident girls Miss Brodie cultivates in her class. Nevertheless, when Miss Brodie learns more about Mary, she decides to taker her under her wing.