High School Musical tells the story of two high school students, Troy Bolton, captain of the East High School basketball team (Wildcats), and Gabriella Montez, a shy student. They both try out for lead roles in their school musical and quickly fall in love in the process, despite a lack of support from the rest of their classmates, one being Sharpay Evans and her fellow classmate Ryan Evans. The film also focuses on Chad Danforth, Troy's best friend, and Taylor McKessie, Gabriella's best friend who also develops a crush on her.
On New Year's Eve, high school juniors Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) meet at a party while both teens are at a ski lodge during winter break. At the party, the two are called upon to sing karaoke together ("Start of Something New"). They find that they have a connection and decide to exchange numbers before going their separate ways.
School's out for summer and the East High Wildcats are ready to make it the time of their lives after landing jobs in a wealthy country club owned by Sharpay and Ryan's family.
As seniors in high school, Troy and Gabriella struggle with the idea of being separated from one another as college approaches. Along with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.