Head of the Class

Watch Head of the Class

  • TV-G
  • 1986
  • 5 Seasons
  • 6.6  (3,318)

Head of the Class was a popular ABC sitcom that ran from 1986 to 1991. The show followed a group of highly gifted high school students as they navigated their way through academia, relationships, and the ups and downs of adolescence. The series was primarily set in a specialized honors program at the fictional Manhattan High School, where a small group of the smartest students in the school were given the opportunity to learn from the very best teachers in the field. The driving force behind the program was the charming and charismatic Mr. Charles Moore (Howard Hesseman), a brilliant and unorthodox instructor who was not afraid to break the rules and push his students to their limits.

The core cast of students varied over the course of the series, but consisted of a diverse group of teenagers from different backgrounds and cultures. They all shared a passion for learning and excelling academically, but each had their own unique quirks and traits that made them stand out.

Michael DeLorenzo played Alex Torres, a street-smart Hispanic kid from Brooklyn who was the star of the school's basketball team. Rain Pryor portrayed T.J. Jones, a brassy and confident African American girl who had a natural talent for music and performing arts. Billy Connolly played Billy MacGregor, a Scottish expat with a dry wit and a passion for history. Jeanetta Arnette played Bernadette Meara, a shy and bookish Irish Catholic girl who struggled to assert herself among her more outgoing peers. Khrystyne Haje played Simone Foster, a wealthy and glamorous socialite who initially struggled to fit in with the rest of the group.

Kimberly Russell played Sarah Nevins, a quirky and artistic girl who was in love with her best friend, Arvid Engen (played by Dan Frischman), a nerdy and socially awkward science whiz. Tannis Vallely played Janice Lazarus, a spunky and tomboyish girl who was constantly clashing with T.J. Leslie Bega portrayed Maria Borges, a fiery and outspoken Latina who often found herself at odds with Mr. Moore. Jonathan Ke Quan played Jasper Kwong, a quiet and studious student who had a deep passion for science and technology.

Brian Robbins and Dan Schneider played Eric Mardian and Dennis Blunden, respectively, a pair of somewhat dimwitted jocks who were constantly trying to find ways to cheat their way through Mr. Moore's classes. Other recurring characters included Tony O'Dell as Alan Pinkard, a rival of Alex's on the basketball court, Robin Givens as Darlene Merriman, a spoiled and entitled rich girl who briefly joined the program, Leah Remini as a tough-talking tomboy named Stacey Carosi, and De'voraeux White as Aristotle McKenzie, a proud African American student who clashed with T.J. over their differing views on race and culture.

The show tackled a wide range of topics over its five-season run, including serious issues like drug addiction, teen pregnancy, and racism, as well as more lighthearted fare like dating and social issues. It was praised for its smart writing, strong ensemble cast, and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by gifted, high-achieving students.

Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, Head of the Class was ultimately cancelled in 1991 due to declining ratings. However, it remains a beloved classic of 80s and 90s television, and is still remembered today as a groundbreaking and important show that paved the way for many other high school sitcoms to come.

Head of the Class is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (114 episodes). The series first aired on September 17, 1986.

Head of the Class
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Seasons
It Couldn't Last Forever  (2)
22. It Couldn't Last Forever (2)
June 25, 1991
The IHP class graduates, with T.J. as valedictorian. (Part 2 of 2, and series finale)
It Couldn't Last Forever  (1)
21. It Couldn't Last Forever (1)
June 18, 1991
With a wrecking ball ready to demolish the school, the IHP class waits to fund out who's to be valedictorian. (Part 1 of 2)
The Phantom of the Glee Club
20. The Phantom of the Glee Club
June 11, 1991
The class learns T.J. is more than just a contemporary-style musician when Billy discovers her operatic talent.
My Dinner With Darlene
19. My Dinner With Darlene
June 4, 1991
Darlene promises to treat the class to an elaborate farewell dinner, but then finds her credit card revoked.
The Strange Case of Randy McNally
18. The Strange Case of Randy McNally
May 28, 1991
To save Dennis after a prank, Billy creates a fictional student -- who apparently gets the MIT scholarship Dennis wanted.
Most Likely to Be Forgotten
17. Most Likely to Be Forgotten
January 15, 1991
The kids work on their yearbook, with Eric beginning to regret not having participated more extracurricularly.
The Last Waltz
16. The Last Waltz
January 8, 1991
T.J. turns down Aristotle's invitation to the senior prom.
Viki's Torn Genes
15. Viki's Torn Genes
December 18, 1990
At Christmas, Billy helps Viki find her birth mother, but the woman doesn't want to see her.
The Importance of Being Alex
14. The Importance of Being Alex
December 11, 1990
Simone's reputation suffers when Alex lies to his friends about a romance with her.
My Son the Primate
13. My Son the Primate
December 4, 1990
Arvid trains a chimp at his part-time pet store job and, rather than let it be sold, hides it in the classroom.
Dancing Fools
12. Dancing Fools
November 27, 1990
Billy and Bernadette take dance lessons at the studio where Alex teaches, and where he's pursued by a woman.
Be My Baby . . .  Sitter
11. Be My Baby . . . Sitter
October 20, 1990
Jasper's overprotective parents hire a babysitter for him -- and to his mortification, it turns out to be Sarah.
Fillmore vs. Billy Jean's
10. Fillmore vs. Billy Jean's
November 13, 1990
The IHP class behaves obnoxiously when their bus breaks down at a rural truck stop.
Dead Men Don't Wear Pocket Protectors  (2)
9. Dead Men Don't Wear Pocket Protectors (2)
November 6, 1990
Bully Zach may have Arvid's missing gun. (Part 2 of 2)
Dead Men Don't Wear Pocket Protectors  (1)
8. Dead Men Don't Wear Pocket Protectors (1)
October 30, 1990
After Billy is robbe, he has the class write papers on gun control, leading Arvid to a harrowing experience when he buys a gun for the assignment. (Part 1 of 2)
Billy's Big One
7. Billy's Big One
October 23, 1990
Billy fakes a heart attack to circumvent a health-insurance bureaucrasy; the IHP girls try writing a romance novel.
Napoleon Blown Apart
6. Napoleon Blown Apart
October 16, 1990
Inspired by his French class, Eric goes to "find himself" in Paris.
The Heartbreak Nerd
5. The Heartbreak Nerd
September 25, 1990
Arvid goes out with gorgeous Viki.
And Then There Were None
4. And Then There Were None
October 2, 1990
Arvid's infectious flu may keep the class from performing in a Shakespeare competition.
Twelve Angry Nerds
3. Twelve Angry Nerds
September 18, 1990
When Alan is caught cheating, Billy has the class act as a jury to decide his punishment.
Getting Personal
2. Getting Personal
October 9, 1990
Billy tries the personals ads.
Where's Charlie?
1. Where's Charlie?
September 11, 1990
Charlie doesn't return for the new school year and the Kids are wondering where's Charlie? Charlie found an acting gig and left and now the students have a new teacher, Billy MacGregor.
Description
Where to Watch Head of the Class
Head of the Class is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Head of the Class on demand at Max, Amazon Prime, Amazon, The Roku Channel Free and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    September 17, 1986
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (3,318)