Matt Bashir was a history teacher and Deputy Principal at a prestigious girls' school, and has now been promoted to Principal of Boxdale Boys High. Boxdale Boys High is a notoriously violent and difficult school and Principal Bashir is brought in because of his different and radical approach to reform. The sudden change brings him into conflict on all fronts and even leaves his personal life exposed. Still, Bashir works overtime to get the local community on side, promising change, but just when it seems he is making progress, a student is found dead on school grounds.