Abbott Elementary Season 4 Review

Abbott Elementary (2021-)

Season 4 - 22 episodes (2024-25)
Rent Abbott Elementary on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Quinta Brunson
Starring: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph, William Stanford Davis
Rated: TV-PG
Watch the trailer

Plot
Follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching.

Verdict
While a faltering school system is the backbone of this show, it still manages to be a fun workplace comedy with distinct characters. Despite various hurdles, most of these characters just want to help the kids. This balances silly and touching moments that prove despite everything the teachers care about the students and each other.
Watch It.

Review
The main through line this season is that the Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) ship finally sailed. They're a couple, and initially they think they're hiding it when everyone already knows. They're soon found out, growing closer during the season.

This season features a new golf course under construction nearby. That brings in a new demographic to the school, but this idea is a one off in just one episode. I really thought the show would do more with that. The ongoing golf course plot is relegated to the developers bribing the school with supplies to prevent any delay. That does net the school new computers and dearly needed supplies. The school system has proved ineffective at providing resources. I didn't blame the school for leveraging the golf course because the root of it is based in providing for the students.

Zack Fox, Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph play
Tariq Temple, Janine Teagues, Gregory Eddie, Ava Coleman, Barbara Howard

Each episode is its own adventure. At Halloween a parent wants to fight Gregory. Another episode features a ringworm outbreak. There's also an It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover episode where the gang volunteers at the school. One of the funniest bits is Gregory and Melissa trying to figure out Ava's filing system. Is it genius or insane?

The janitor Mr. Johnson continues to be a highlight. He's done everything and been everywhere. 

The principal, Ava (Janelle James), likes the IT guy, but she's unsure of how to relate to someone who is poor. How Ava is rich becomes an in-joke. We're introduced to her father who's a barber. How did Ava become a principal with no qualifications? How is she rich?

Later in the season parents want to ban books. It's ironic with one of the parents concerned about book content bearing an offensive word visible tattoo.

It's a show that manages to be wholesome while still portraying the plights of teachers. Janine is still over-eager, but it's endearing. All of these teachers have a different strength they use to reach the kids.

I'm not sure this season is as good as prior seasons, but this is still a fun show that's an easy watch. At this point it's less about the issues facing teachers and more about interpersonal dynamics.