Abbott Elementary season 3 recap: All you need to remember for season 4

Abbott Elementary season 3 recap (Image via ABC)
Abbott Elementary season 3 recap (Image via ABC)

Abbott Elementary is an affectionate workplace comedy about a team of passionate teachers working in an underfunded public school in Philadelphia. While season 3 premiered in February 2024, season 4 was released on October 9 on ABC and Hulu

An optimistic group of teachers is headed by Janine Teagues, played by Quinta Brunson. The rest are experienced educators: wise Barbara Howard, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph; Jacob Hill, Chris Perfetti; Melissa Schemmenti, Lisa Ann Walter; and Gregory Eddie, Tyler James Williams.

The rest include the school's eccentric principal, Ava Coleman, played by Janelle James; and the mysterious custodian, Mr. Johnson, played by William Stanford Davis. The show is particularly popular for its mockumentary format. It weaves together comedy with educational challenges in a real-life setting.

Abbott Elementary season 3 is made for the perfect continuation of the lovely series by bringing about much greater character development and major plot twists.

A school year full of shocks, at times through shocked departures, relationships went deeper with characters as the third season set up a thrilling mixture that would not be revealed until the fourth season.


Things to remember from Abbott Elementary season 3

Janine’s career move and its impact on Abbott in Abbott Elementary season 3

Among the most pivotal moments in Abbott Elementary season 3 was the shocking departure of Janine Teagues from Abbott Elementary. She chose to accept a fellowship position within the school district.

As she began to earn recognition for her passion and creative thinking, Janine took on a role that would enable her to make a difference on a much larger scale.

Despite thriving in the new position, she was deeply missed at Abbott, long an emotional heart of the school. It also marked a period in which several of her ambitious proposals began to come to fruition-just the opposite of the frustration she'd felt back at Abbott at seeing so little of her work come to life.

However, Janine's leaving was also a personal challenge. Deciding to be only friends with Gregory when, in reality, there is strong romantic tension between them makes a will-they-won't-they situation.

As she flourished professionally, so did a transformation of life for her at the office back home at Abbott, which, upon her return, had dramatic implications.

This sets up a future episode or several more to develop this role of hers at the school and her relation to the people there, specifically Gregory.


Ava’s growth as a principal and leader in Abbott Elementary season 3

Ava Coleman, the eccentric and sometimes outrageous principal of the show showed marked improvement throughout Abbott Elementary season 3. She returned from summer college classes, hoping to rein in her boorish personality and take a more serious stab at her job.

It didn't take long, however, for the Abbott staff to find that Ava's abrasiveness was one of the best things she had going for her. Rather than stifling her indomitable personality, Ava learned to temper it with cornball humor and a sense of wisdom that started making the school run more efficiently.

This comes out in her defending her colleagues, particularly Barbara, who had problems with the social politics of her church because of her friendship with LGBTQIA+ constituents at Abbott.

Ava encouraged Barbara to stand up for herself and find another means of worship, further demonstrating her growing role as a caring influencer to her team.

Throughout Abbott Elementary season 3, Ava's characterization was enhanced, thereby making the idea obvious that despite all her flaws, Ava is highly involved in the school and the excellence of its teachers.

Read More: Abbott Elementary season 4: Release date & time, where to watch, and more


Gregory and Janine’s long-awaited romantic development in Abbott Elementary season 3

Abbott Elementary season 3 raised the slow-burn romance of Janine with Gregory to a new level in that their dynamic was still shifting. When Janine is shipped off to the district office, Gregory finds himself questioning whether she's even hot with a new coworker, Manny.

This only led to an awkward series of events and at one point, a very tense bar date with Olivia, Jacob's friend, whom Gregory is dating. All this while leaving the romantic tension between Janine and Gregory unresolved, the theme of struggle between those characters continued throughout the season.

The Abbott Elementary season 3 finale promised the biggest moment yet: an end-of-year party where Gregory, who had finally had enough of the mess, finally kisses Janine.

Fans had all been waiting for that kiss for what felt like an eternity, and it paid off; this made it one of the most memorable episodes of the season, and the cliffhanger was enough to leave fans wishing for more of the couple's love in Abbott Elementary season 4.

With Janine returning to Abbott and her relationship with Gregory at the precipice of change, it's guaranteed that their budding chemistry will be one of the most eagerly awaited storylines going forward.

Read More: Abbott Elementary season 4: Release date, plot, and everything you need to know


Abbott Elementary season 3 is currently streaming on ABC and Hulu.

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Edited by Prem Deshpande
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