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It is June 16, practically the last day of classes, and the day of the yearly senior variety show. We meet Mark Pemick, a senior who is soon to have a graduation party. He has a family who can't seem to get away from bizarre, seemingly worthless arguments. Mark always seems to get involved in them, even if it's simply about trying to get into the bathroom--(he says: "I'm a senior! I deserve to get in there first!") At school, Mark is a member of the audio-visual club; they are the group who handles the school's media equipment. In fact, Mark is among those who are doing the lighting for the show that night.

Jennifer Siller is a girl who Mark meets on the bus on the way to school in the morning. She is a junior, and Mark has never talked to her, although he has had a crush on her since the first day of school. He will eventually learn that she is in the variety show--which sets up a mean for the two to come into contact with each other again before the day is over. Their first words to each other are rather awkward--(Mark: "You come to school often?" Jennifer: "Yeah, I have to.")

One of Mark's friends, Harold, is a sophomore. The two most often talk to each other on the bus and at lunchtime in the cafeteria. Harold is on the staff of the Clarion Times, the school newspaper. He is attentive and quiet, if a bit confused--(he says to a fellow tenth grader: "Maybe we can get financial aid together!"

The opening sequence introduces the main characters, who are seen before school starts. What follows is the main section of the story. This is the part of the film that shows the three students during school hours. The forty-five minute sequence begins as soon as they arrive at school in the morning and ends when Mark talks to Jennifer a second time on the bus at the end of the school day.

Generally, we see each of the characters separately during the mid-section of the film. Mark is seen in his auto shop class, at the audio-visual club studio, in history class, and trying to leave school grounds for lunch, among other things. Jennifer goes to her English class, and sees a typical bloody driver education film later in the day. She is also seen in different classes and talking to friends. Harold has an unusual visit with his guidance counselor--(they discuss "the real world.") He is also seen in the school newspaper office and in various classes.

Throughout the day, a variety of subjects are mentioned and talked about in a humorous manner. Boy-girl relationships, family problems, summer fun, future plans, the whole idea of "What does school mean?" and "What are we learning here?" are covered in an off-hand way.

Jennifer has a peculiar habit of reading messages on desks, and writing back. Almost all of the teachers seen have a small, unusual characteristic to them. For instance, one dresses up in a raincoat and carries a spear when it is time for the class to read Moby Dick. The driver education teacher treasures the gore in the film that he shows, and Mark's history teacher has a certain fascination with Hitler--("He was a helluva guy.") Harold has the type of guidance counselor who strikes with a non-stop barrage of commands and college pamphlets.

After school ends, we mainly follow Mark as he goes home to find himself in the middle of several family arguments. The first is with his younger brother over the use of the telephone; the second is with his parents over his upcoming graduation party. While the family is eating dinner, Mark explains why he doesn't want to have a big party. He knows that all his relatives will give him some money, but that they will also ask him the question he dreads the most: "What do you want to be?"

After supper, Mark picks Harold up and they go to the variety show, called "The Student-Faculty Follies." Harold watches as Mark is involved with the backstage technical aspects of the various acts. There are skits, sight gags, and a student rock band among the list of performers. Even the principal, Mr. Triggle, gets in on it--(he sings My Way.) In effect, we see a small variety show being performed--a show within the film.

Eventually, Jennifer comes on stage and dances to a contemporary song with a group of other girls. Mark walks up to her after the act, and after the show, the two go outside for a walk around the school. They talk about past experiences, where they work and used to work. Mark tells Jennifer how "one time the seniors stole the portable classrooms." Best of all, they communicate the fact they like each other and want to see each other again.

The final images are those of a slide show. The photographs present aspects of the whole high school experience.