The fifth season of ABC’s hit comedy Abbott Elementary is now in session, bringing weekly episodes of chaos and heart from the teachers of Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. The new season premiered on October 1, 2025, and follows a traditional weekly release pattern throughout its 22-episode run.
Season 5 Premiere and Release Pattern
Abbott Elementary returned for its fifth season on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, airing at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. For viewers who prefer streaming, new episodes become available on Hulu the next day, on Thursdays.
Unlike series that release all episodes at once for binge-watching, Abbott Elementary maintains a weekly drop schedule. This means fans get a new episode every Wednesday on ABC, with the season expected to run for 22 episodes with typical holiday breaks.
Complete Episode Release Schedule
The release schedule for the first several episodes of Season 5 has been confirmed by ABC. The table below outlines the premiere dates for the first five episodes.
| Episode Number | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Team Building” | October 1, 2025 |
| 2 | “Cheating” | October 8, 2025 |
| 3 | “Ballgame” | October 15, 2025 |
| 4 | “Game Night” | October 22, 2025 |
| 5 | “Camping” | October 29, 2025 |
Future episodes beyond the fifth are scheduled to continue airing on subsequent Wednesdays, with the season comprising a total of 22 episodes.
What to Expect in the New Season
Season 5 introduces fresh challenges and adventures for the dedicated teaching staff. The season premiere, “Team Building,” saw the staff participating in mandatory team-building exercises led by a district worker, a gas leak forcing everyone outside, and Janine grappling with her place at the school now that she is no longer a new teacher.
A major plot point this season involves Janine Teagues being tasked with teaching a combined class of 40 second-grade students after Principal Ava Coleman announces there aren’t enough students for two classes. In a teaser for the season, Ava declared, “Since there aren’t enough second graders for two classes, Ms. Teagues will now have 40 students. I, for one, am excited to see if it will break her.”
Other key storylines include Melissa Schemmenti moving up to teach middle school math and reuniting with her former second-grade students, who are now old enough to give her some blunt feedback. The season will also feature special episodes, including one filmed on location at a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game for Teachers’ Appreciation Night. The show will also bring back holiday episodes for Halloween and Christmas.
Where to Watch New and Old Episodes
For viewers in the United States, there are two primary ways to watch new episodes of Abbott Elementary Season 5:
- ABC: Watch live on broadcast television on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.
- Hulu: Stream new episodes the next day, on Thursdays.
If you need to catch up on previous seasons, the first four seasons of Abbott Elementary are available to stream in their entirety on Hulu.
New Faces and Returning Favorites
The main cast, including Quinta Brunson (Janine Teagues), Tyler James Williams (Gregory Eddie), Janelle James (Ava Coleman), Lisa Ann Walter (Melissa Schemmenti), Chris Perfetti (Jacob Hill), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard), and William Stanford Davis (Mr. Johnson), all return.
They are joined by new and recurring guest stars. Luke Tennie joins the cast as Dominic Clark, a new fourth-grade teacher who was once a student in Barbara Howard’s kindergarten class. Familiar faces like Zack Fox as Tariq, Janine’s ex-boyfriend and current PTA president, also return to cause chaos in the classroom.
Also Read: Abbott Elementary Season 2 Brings Back Tariq and Adds a New Counselor
