The good students and staff of Abbott Elementary are coming back! In 2024, it was announced that Abbott Elementary would be renewed for a fifth season. The mockumentary-style comedy shows the highs and lows of one of Philadelphia’s elementary schools, and the quirky yet dedicated teachers who work there (along with some adorable students).

Unlike prior seasons, Season 4 left on a sentimental high note instead of a cliffhanger. The finale felt like a good place to end Season 4 while also bringing bouts of hope for the characters in Season 5. With the whole gang back together at Abbott, the possibilities for their storylines are endless in the new season.

Everything We Know About Abbott Elementary’s Fifth Season

In January 2025, Deadline reported that Abbott Elementary was renewed for a fifth season. This was big news for the series, considering Season 4 hadn’t concluded yet, and it was the first ABC series to be announced for renewal for the 2025/2026 season.

When Will Season 5 Drop?

As of this article’s publication, there is no release date for Season 5. However, People reported that Abbott Elementary is suspected to air in the fall of 2025. With the previous season airing in October 2024, Quinta Brunson (the creator and actress who portrays Janine Teagues) shared with TV Insider that she likes it when the school year matches the series premiere.

“In our ongoing effort to work along with the school calendar, we start on Oct., 9th [2024] this year, which is when the season airs. [It’s] your nondescript October day,” she shared.

Here’s Who’s Returning

Based on how Season 4 ended, the main cast of Abbott Elementary is presumed to be returning. The cast also shared their excitement about the new season on social media. What their characters face, however, is in the minds of the writers.

What Will Season 5 Focus On?

As of this article’s publication, it’s unknown to the public what Season 5 will focus on. Season 4’s ongoing storyline focused on the neighboring golf course and the back-alley dealings the golf course made with Abbott Elementary to avoid any trouble from the community.

In an interview with Variety, Quinta shared some of her hopes for Season 5.

• Quinta mentioned fans can expect to see O’Shon (Matthew Law) back in Season 5, as he and Ava Coleman are now exclusively dating.
• Now that Gregory Eddie and Janine Teagues are in a good place in their relationship, Quinta hopes to dissect Gregory’s backstory a bit. “We’ll definitely talk more about [Gregory’s mom] in the future, but it was nice to learn about Gregory’s mom without having to see her,” the actress shared.
• She hopes Gregory will meet Janine’s mom (Taraji P. Henson’s Vanetta).
• Characters and their backgrounds will slowly be fleshed out.
• Viewers may get a chance to see Gregory’s pristine apartment, which is a telling moment for the characters and how they live outside of school.

Quinta also hoped to touch on the real issues that teachers face today in Season 5, like the use of ChatGPT in the classroom.

Here’s Where Season 4 Left Off

Season 4 of Abbott Elementary had 22 episodes and largely focused on the group of teachers risking their jobs to get Ava Coleman back as acting principal after she was fired for blackmailing the new golf course for goods for the school.

Viewers saw just how influential Ava was to the school, its teachers, and the community. Likewise, how important Abbott Elementary was to Ava. The hilarious and outspoken character had selfish and negligent tendencies, but it was clear she was an asset to the school. Because of her impact on the community, the school district gave Ava her job back.

Season 4 also fleshed out Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie’s relationship. The two spent Christmas together, told one another they loved each other, and she met his father. After three seasons of ups and downs, the couple is finally in a stable place in the sitcom world.

Barbara Howard wrapped up Season 4 by becoming the school’s volunteer music teacher. The iconic kindergarten teacher also found out she was going to become a grandmother for the first time.

Melissa Schemmenti and Jacob Hill quietly progressed in their personal and professional lives. Melissa became exclusive with Captain Robinson, and viewers saw her please her dramatic family members during a tense Christmas dinner. Jacob succeeded at work by helping a student named RJ find his passion outside of school. He was also on a mission to find his own passions after running into his ex-boyfriend and hearing all about his big, colorful life.

The Season 4 finale saw Abbott Elementary on a field trip to Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum. Ava had an honest heart-to-heart with O’Shon, Janine met Gregory’s dad, and Jacob’s students did fun-loving play where they complimented (and roasted) Abbott Elementary’s beloved teachers.

The season left on a happy note, making viewers excited about all the potential possibilities for Season 5.

Abbott Elementary

Release Date

December 7, 2021

Network

ABC

Showrunner

Quinta Brunson

• 
  

  Quinta Brunson

  Janine Teagues

• 
  

  Tyler James Williams

  Gregory Eddie

• 
  

  Sheryl Lee Ralph

  Barbara Howard

• 
  

  Lisa Ann Walter

  Melissa Schemmenti

•