Rosalie welcomes Dewey, who is late, to campus after the school sings the “Horace Green Alma Mater,” and she informs him of their elite expectations (“Here at Horace Green”). Dewey meets his students, who have a lot of questions for their new teacher, and Dewey has only one item on his curriculum: recess. Dewey returns home to find Ned discreetly playing Guitar Hero, and while they play, Dewey tries to convince Ned to join Battle of Bands with him, just like the good old days (“Children of Rock”). Their daydream is abruptly ruined when Patty, returning home from shopping, gives Dewey a reality check. Dewey has thirty days to pay his rent, or he has to leave (“Mount Rock – Reprise”).

Dewey returns to school the next day, running late, and overhears students singing, “Queen of the Night.” Dewey suddenly decides he must start a band with the students to win Battle of the Bands and assigns instruments and roles to each of the students (“You’re in the Band”). The band is complete… almost, some students are worried that they are not cool enough to be in the band and have various problems at home (“If Only You Would Listen”).

The next day, Dewey plays the students a song he wrote, “In the End of Time,” while the other teachers begin to speculate about the new music teacher (“Faculty Quadrille”). Dewey asks Rosalie for permission to take the students on a field trip, but the prospects look grim. He returns to practice (“In the End of Time – Band Practice”) and encourages the band (“Stick It to the Man”). Rosalie interrupts, explaining that the school administration denied permission for the field trip. Dewey shows the kids how to truly stick it to the man, and the band leaves anyway for the first round of competition. The kids arrive to the venue and play their first public performance. The kids rock it out and qualify for Battle of the Bands (“In the End of Time – The Audition/Stick It to the Man – Reprise”).

Act II
The band is in full rehearsal mode (“Time to Play”), but there’s one problem: parents’ meetings fall right before the competition. In a moment of inspiration, Tomika rallies enough courage and surprises everyone with a soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Unexpectedly, Rosalie pops into the classroom to observe their work, and Dewey pretends to use his so-called ‘sing-song’ method with the students (“Math Is a Wonderful Thing”).

Dewey asks Rosalie on a date to the Roadhouse, where Rosalie reveals that despite her conservative presence, she loves to rock out to Stevie Nicks (“Where Did the Rock Go?”). She then opens up about wanting to be free in spite of her position and finally comes around and permits the field trip. Dewey kisses her. The next day at breakfast, Patty excitedly relays a letter to Ned from Horace Greene and quickly leaves for work. Ned discovers it’s a payment from the school and is just about to call the school to clear up the mistake when Dewey realizes he must own up.

Parents’ meetings are about to begin while the band learns a new song Zack has been playing around with (“School of Rock – Band Practice”). Their parents stumble upon them just as the kids find their groove and are shocked that their kids have traded in their books for music. Dewey reminds the parents how incredible their kids are. At that very moment, Patty (who learned about Dewey’s substitute teaching from Ned) breaks through the door to reveal Dewey’s true identity. The parents confront Dewey (“Dewey’s Confession”), but the kids won’t be stopped—they secretly head over to compete at Battle of the Bands. Mason informs Rosalie that the kids don’t care about Dewey’s real identity. All they care about is that he taught them that rock could set them free. Meanwhile, the kids arrive at the apartment to convince Dewey that he’s changed their lives (“If Only You Would Listen – Reprise”). Dewey knows he has to follow through, so he leaves to watch the kids rock it out with Ned.

The school band arrives late (“I’m Too Hot for You – Reprise”), and Dewey decides that they should play the song that Zack wrote, even though the band hasn’t practiced it. Dewey reminds them that performing’s not about playing perfectly, it’s about rocking out with all your heart. The parents arrive and watch the concert from the back of the venue (“School of Rock”). And the winner of Battle of the Bands is… No Vacancy. A rowdy crowd erupts in support of the kids, calling them back to the stage for one last encore (“Stick It to the Man – Encore”).