All good things must come to an end, or so the saying goes, and when you’re a kid that’s no more true than when late August rolls around and the summer holidays approach. Back to school means the end of random days of fun in the sun, but it can also be start to something good. The first day of school can be the first time a child meets their new best friend, or it can begin an important semester of learning and discovery. It might also be, well, not so great. Sometimes, going back to school hard.
That’s why families sometimes turn to our big TV shows for guidance. TV is not a perfect teacher, but it can help families reflect on their experiences in cathartic ways. Here are 10 of the best back-to-school episodes, an assortment that captures the highs and lows of returning to a classroom — or stepping into a new one for the first time. These episodes are listed here based on how small the target audience is for each individual. So, we’ll start with toddlers and end with high schoolers!
“School Visit,” Daniel Tiger’s place (Age: Toddler to Kindergarten)
As one would expect from a series based Mr. Rogers’ neighbor“A Visit to School” shows the same gentle understanding and direct connection with the beloved children’s show host that he excelled at. If you’re afraid of doing something new – like going to the first day of school – talking about it and preparing for the new experience is a great way to feel more confident. It is practical advice.
Daniel Tiger’s place streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
“Arthur and the Real Mr. Ratburn: and “Arthur’s First Day,” Arthur (grades 1 to 3)
These two Arthur episodes, from the beginning and end of the long-running PBS series, show that every back-to-school experience comes with its own challenges — and how to overcome them all. In the first episode, Arthur and Buster are nervous about their new third grade teacher, Mr. Ratburn, until they learn that he is not afraid at all. Then 15 years later, Arthur is excited to move on to the 4th grade, until he realizes that his best friend Buster will no longer be in his class. But, that doesn’t mean they will stop being friends.
Arthur airs on Amazon Prime and PBS Kids.
“New Kid,” A break (grades 2 to 4)
Disney channel series A break focuses on a group of elementary school friends, but not all members of the “gang” were in the first episode. It is not until the second episode that Gus Griswald shows up at the school. A break has a great way of developing familiar playground politics and Gus’s struggle to escape the “new kid” label is one that anyone who’s changed schools can probably empathize with — and it has a happy ending. Not only does Gus discover his real name and ditch the “new kid” moniker, but he also finds a group of fast friends.
A break airs on Disney+.
“I am Karma,” The world of Karma (3rd to 5th grade)
The first episode of the Netflix children’s show The world of Karma has the titular character who is happy on his first day at middle school, but is first met by a bully who makes fun of his name.
The world of Karma is streaming on Netflix.
“First Day and Locks,” Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide (5th grade to middle school)
The first series of this Nickelodeon sitcom understood that things that seem small can have a lot of value when you are a child. For example, being locked. The three best friends, Ned, Moze, and Cookie, are all working to find a nice (or at least smelly) locker in this episode, as they will be staying there for the rest of the year.
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide is streaming on Netflix.
“Back to School Blues,” Full house (primary / middle school)
DJ Tanner’s first day at junior high doesn’t go well, and not just because he accidentally dresses up as his teacher, which is almost a cool thing to do. She also feels less developed than her classmates, and only has one class with her friend Kimmy. But, “Back to School Blues” knows that the first day of school is always followed by the second day of school, and DJ (with some guidance from Danny) returns the next day with a good attitude and a little age-appropriate outfit.
Full house broadcasts to Max.
“Back 2 School,” Boy Meets World (Middle School/High School)
Cory and Shawn’s first day of school is as fun as you’d expect Boy Meets Worldbut it’s also a hard-hitting look at bullying and brotherly bonds, as Eric represents his younger brother even though the “cool” politics of having a sibling go to the same school as you is full of energy, at best. And, Boy Meets World gets to keep the sitcom atmosphere intact while shaking things up by revealing that mr. Feely has been promoted to the position of principal of their new school.
Boy Meets World airs on Disney+.
“Early Days,” Modern Family (High school)
Most back-to-school episodes focus, understandably, on kids returning to the classroom. But, it’s a big day for parents, too, in this Season 5 episode Modern Family focuses on parents Phil and Gloria as they come to terms with the fact that Luke and Manny are growing up!
Modern Family streams in Peacock.
“Go back to the Hellmouth,” Buffy the Vampire Slayer (High school)
OK, chances are the average student doesn’t have to list “vampires” as one of their concerns on the first day of school. However, or Buffy the Vampire SlayerThe first episode isn’t as portable as the other entries on this list, it’s still a great back-to-school episode. Sometimes school sucks, sometimes it sucks blood.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer streams on Hulu.
This article was originally published
