"Step Class" is widely regarded as a turning point for the show’s character development. The episode follows two primary storylines that balance the show’s signature mockumentary humor with unexpected emotional depth.
The B-plot is the episode’s intellectual heart. Jacob brings Gregory to see a statue of the school’s founder, which Jacob discovers has ties to a racist past. Jacob wants to petition to have the statue removed. Gregory, ever pragmatic and reserved, argues that removing history doesn’t change it – and that Jacob’s white-guilt activism often misses the point when it comes to the actual Black experience.
Janine is excited when the district mandates a new step class for the students, but her plans hit a snag when she discovers she has no rhythm. Meanwhile, Melissa struggles with a new student who is proving to be a handful, and Barbara deals with a parenting dilemma of her own. abbott elementary s01e09 bdscr
Looking for more recaps? Check out our breakdowns of every Abbott Elementary episode.
— Season 01, Episode 09
Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) organizes an after-school step class. Conflict arises when Principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James) takes over the program with her unconventional, chaotic teaching style.
"Step Class" is a near-perfect episode of Abbott Elementary . It delivers big laughs (Ava’s high-kick malfunction is comedy gold), genuine heart, and a surprisingly nuanced conversation about race, history, and allyship. The Gregory-Jacob dynamic is the standout, proving that the show isn’t afraid to tackle real issues while staying hilarious. "Step Class" is widely regarded as a turning
This leads to their first real fight as friends. The scene is masterfully written: Jacob means well but is performative, while Gregory speaks from a place of lived reality. By the episode’s end, they don’t fully reconcile, but they agree to listen to each other – a mature resolution rarely seen in sitcoms.
