Matt Stewart teaches English at the same high school his elder daughter, Sarah, attends. In the opener, he just doesn't seem to grasp the concept that Sarah does not want her life to be a part of his classroom banter---and the conflict is taking a toll on their relationship. Meanwhile, younger daughter Emily has some issues of her own when she pretends to be sick at school so she can get out early. Grandfather Sam takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the girl's unusual behavior.
Matt subs in Sarah's Sex Ed. class and gets a surprise when he reaches into a box filled with anonymously written questions. Meanwhile, Sam forgets where he parked his car at the mall.
Sarah gets her driver's permit and is determined to get her license, but driving lessons with her father aren't going so well. Matt's overprotective attitude eventually steers Sarah to find a different driving instructor behind his back.
Sarah and Olivia want to sneak into an R-rated film, but Matt insists that they take Emily along with them since the writers' group is coming over. But Emily has her own idea of which movie she wants to see and talks her way into the theater.
Sarah gets invited by a popular senior to one of the hottest parties of the year, but Matt forbids her to go. Meanwhile, Emily is trying everything in her power to start a kids' version of the book of world records.
Matt gets upset when Sarah blows off family game night, so he buys tickets to a Limp Bizkit concert in order to spend more time with her.
Sarah is in a predicament as the director of the school play when she casts two people for the same part. Matt deals with not knowing how to fire the housekeeper.
Sarah wants her own room after she finds out that Emily and her friend Henry broke into Sarah's diary. With her privacy at stake, Sarah is determined to convince her father that a new room would curb the sisters' fighting.
Teacher evaluation day is here and the staff makes a contest of their reviews. Matt figures he's a shoo-in to win (again), but he just taught his class about irony and the students decide to put the lesson to use by playing a trick on the English teacher.
Sarah takes an interest in a new student with a criminal past. Matt reveals the info in order to protect her, but she inadvertently lets it slip and gossip spreads. Emily and Sam lose Matt's prized possession.
Emily is distraught when Matt goes on a date (his first since Abby's death) with a published author and college professor. Sam buys mass quantities at the warehouse store.
After Sam spends a night out, he and Matt argue and Sam moves out. Sarah wants a later curfew and Emily wants a bra, neither of which will Matt allow.
A former student pays a return visit, having written a best-selling novel that bears a striking resemblance to one of Matt's short stories.
Sarah and Olivia fight over a guy. Meanwhile, Sarah is tutored in math by Travers' nephew, blindly unaware of his crush on her.
Sarah surprises Sam on his birthday by reuniting him with his daughter Debbie. But old differences don't die easily.
When Sarah decides to get a job, she is coerced by Matt into working in the school attendance office--and then promptly gets fired. Sam gets a PDA.
Matt agrees to accompany his boss (and old family friend) Liz to a wedding, but the date takes an unexpected turn. Sarah books her friends' band at the Juice Bar/Bookstore where she now works.
The death of Sam's old friend and former Red Sox teammate inspires Sam and Matt's journey to the roof of Fenway Park. Sarah hosts a dinner party but is upset when Jared brings a date.
Sarah notices signals that Jared may want to be more than just friends. Meanwhile, the Stewart household is plagued by a neighborhood dog.
Sarah is in a bind when a girl in her math class wants to cheat off her test. The teen says no, but her refusal could lead to a fight. Meanwhile, Emily and her friend Marvin learn a few card tricks.
Matt refuses to even consider allowing Sarah to get a nose job, so she schedules the surgery behind his back.
In the first-season finale, Sarah contemplates taking her relationship with Jared to a new level after he tells her he is spending the summer with his dad in sunny California. Back at the Stewart house, Matt decides to go on a weekend getaway with Nina.