When Ginger and Ian Richton are paired up in chemistry class, Ginger thinks Ian is enthusiastic about it because he likes her, but Darren finds out it might be more about his grades. Meanwhile, Carl and Hoodsey compete to see who gets to play the glockenspiel for a town eccentric.

Ginger and her friends decide to help a Lucky Junior High School girl named Hope to gain popularity by offering her some social and fashion tips. When she takes to the advice so well that she challenges and beats Courtney's reign as the most popular girl in school, will Courtney be able to regain her title?

Meanwhile, Carl causes his teacher Mrs. Gordon to retire and get replaced by music teacher Hepcat Hepper. Will he convince her to come back?

Ginger is the only one that is nervous about moving on to high school while all her friends are embracing the change and deciding what their new activities will be once they make the big switch.

Note: This episode was alternatively titled No Turning Back.