Recently widowed mother, Shirley Partridge who's struggling to raise her five children who are playing in a band and, Shirley works a bank teller. Older brother and sister Keith (Lead vocals and guitar) and Laurie (Keyboards). Younger brothers and sister Danny (Bass guitar), Chris (Drums) and, Tracy (Tamborine and percussion) are playing in a band called "The Partridge Family". Ruben Kincaid, a kid hater was signed as their manager. Finally, the kids asked their mother to join the band. Reluctantly, she agreed but, for a single condition: if she faints the kids have to assist her.
Danny receives a letter from the Draft Board that he's been drafted into the United States Army. Shirley contacts he Draft Board and tries to convince them that Danny is 10, but they won't listen to her; on top of that, they say the Draft Board doesn't make mistakes, and he is to report. Now the family has to try once again to convince the Army that Danny is too young to serve - and so he reports as ordered.
Danny gives stock advice to a very attractive cocktail waitress during the family's engagement in Las Vegas. However, the girl's very jealous boyfriend sends a couple of his goons to rough Danny because he thinks Danny is a much older man trying to steal his girl. A frightened Danny then runs away in terror thinking that he is about to be rubbed out by the mob.
When Keith is worried that he may not be able to write songs anymore because he's "written out", Danny decides that it's time for him to become the group's songwriter.
After arriving in town to play at a club, Laurie finds a former classmate works at the club. The entire club staff walks out in protest against management. Laurie takes a stand and refuses to perform so she can join the picket line. Shirley realizes Laurie's sense of moral obligation, but there's also the family's legal obligation to consider.
Danny's sore throat is diagnosed as tonsillitis and he has to have his tonsils removed. He is nervous about the operation, and when it is over, he is nervous about losing his voice.
The Partridges hire a psychic performer for Tracy's birthday party. Keith and Danny keep asking for predictions about their lives, so the psychic asks them to help his failing business from a foreclosure.
Its role reversal time in the Partridge household as Keith takes home economics and Laurie takes auto shop. Keith's struggles with cooking make him the target of barbs from the school bully, and things really heat up when Laurie gives the tough a Judo flip. Keith is then challenged to a fight, and must face up to the bully even if it means getting his face turned to hamburger.
A reclusive millionaire who's a fan of the Partridges pays them to perform for him at his home. And he follows them around buying out every show. Eventually they invite him to stay with them where he tries to keep a low profile.
Keith wants to date the new girl in school, but she does not want to go with him because he has a love 'em and leave 'em reputation. He wants Laurie to convince Dina to go out with him.
Danny has started following Keith and Laurie around all the time. He even tries dressing and acting like Keith. Ruben suggests he try baseball so he can be around kids his own age. Danny hates baseball, but turns out he is a good pitcher.
Keith does not have a date for a party after the popular girl at school declines his date request, citing another date, so Laurie sets him up with one of her friends. The next day when the popular girl's plans fall through she belatedly accepts the date with Keith. Now he has two dates for the same party.
Shirley's mother (Amanda) and father (Walter) argue over Amanda wanting a job outside the house. She leaves home and goes to Shirley's home. Amanda gets a job with a service company, and Shirley hires a maid. Guess who is the maid?
Danny seems to be getting into a lot of trouble at school, and now decided to drop out. Shirley and his teacher discuss how to prevent this. They decide to let him think he has dropped out, and find out what the real world is like.
