By AGBOVERSE Staff

Summer’s winding down, and as much as we’ll miss the beach days and barbecues, there’s something undeniably exciting about the back-to-school season. Whether you're reminiscing about the early days of elementary school, surviving the challenges of middle school, navigating high school, or heading off to college, consider this your first homework assignment of the year—but way more fun than anything you’ll find in a syllabus.

1. Abbott Elementary

• Where to Watch: Hulu
• The Vibe: Wholesome comedy with a sharp edge.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Abbott Elementary is a delightful mockumentary that brings you into the underfunded, overworked world of public school teachers. With a cast of characters who are as lovable as they are flawed, this show strikes the perfect balance between heartwarming and hilarious. It’s a reminder that behind every great teacher is a lot of coffee, a little chaos, and a whole lot of heart.

2. Pen15

• Where to Watch: Hulu
• The Vibe: Cringe comedy at its finest.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Pen15 takes all the awkwardness of middle school and cranks it up to 11. Starring creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle as their 13-year-old selves (yes, really), this show is a painfully accurate depiction of adolescence in all its cringe-worthy glory. Whether it’s dealing with puberty, crushes, or the horrors of AIM, Pen15 will have you laughing, crying, and cringing all at once.

3. Boy Meets World 

• Where to Watch: Disney+
• The Vibe: Heartwarming nostalgia with a dash of life lessons.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Few shows capture the essence of growing up like Boy Meets World. From Cory Matthews’ middle school days to his college years, this show is a journey through the trials and tribulations of adolescence. With the ever-wise Mr. Feeny dropping life lessons at every turn and the unforgettable bromance between Cory and Shawn, this is the ultimate comfort watch for anyone who remembers what it’s like to figure out life one awkward moment at a time.’ 

3. Sex Education

• Where to Watch: Netflix
• The Vibe: Awkwardly relatable with a side of British charm.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Sex Education is the show that tackles teenage sexuality with honesty, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Otis and his band of misfit classmates navigate the treacherous waters of high school, all while running an underground sex therapy clinic. It’s as messy as it sounds, but in the best way possible. With its sharp writing and inclusive cast, this show will make you cringe, laugh, and maybe even learn something.

4. Gossip Girl

• Where to Watch: HBO Max [Original] HBO Max [Reboot]  
• The Vibe: Scandalous, glamorous, and soapy as hell.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: If you ever wanted to know what it’s like to attend a high school where the drama is juicier than anything you could dream up, Gossip Girl is your ticket. Set in the elite world of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, this show is all about the lives, lies, and love triangles of NYC’s wealthiest teens. It’s the ultimate guilty pleasure, with enough intrigue and backstabbing to keep you hooked through every scandalous reveal. XOXO, you know you’ll love it.

5. Daria

• Where to Watch: Paramount +
• The Vibe: Sarcastic, deadpan, and too cool for school.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Daria is the quintessential anti-heroine for anyone who ever rolled their eyes at the absurdity of high school. With her biting wit and no-nonsense attitude, Daria Morgendorffer cuts through the BS of teenage life, one sardonic comment at a time. If you’ve ever felt like you were the only sane person in a sea of high school madness, this ‘90s classic will speak to your soul.

6. Derry Girls

• Where to Watch: Netflix
• The Vibe: Hilariously chaotic with a side of Irish charm.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Derry Girls takes us back to the ’90s in Northern Ireland, where a group of Catholic schoolgirls (and one boy) are navigating the usual teenage drama against the backdrop of political turmoil. The result? A riotously funny and surprisingly poignant show that’s as much about friendship as it is about growing up. With quick wit and endlessly quotable lines, Derry Girls is the perfect binge for anyone who loves a bit of chaos with their comedy.

7. Deadly Class

• Where to Watch: Prime Video
• The Vibe: Dark, edgy, and dangerously cool.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Deadly Class is like your wildest high school fantasy—if your fantasy involved learning the art of assassination instead of algebra. Set in the late ‘80s, this show takes place at Kings Dominion, a secret academy for the children of the world’s most notorious crime families. Here, students don’t just face the usual high school drama—they also deal with lethal training sessions and the constant threat of betrayal. With its punk rock aesthetic, intense action scenes, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Deadly Class is the perfect binge to kick off the school year with a bang. 

8. Community

• Where to Watch: Peacock
• The Vibe: Meta humor, pop culture references, and the weirdest study group you’ll ever see.
• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Community isn’t just a show about community college—it’s a masterclass in turning the mundane into the absurdly entertaining. Whether it’s epic paintball battles, alternate timelines, or a school-wide zombie apocalypse, Greendale Community College is the place where anything (and we mean anything) can happen. With a cast that’s equal parts lovable and bizarre, this show will have you wishing your college experience was this ridiculous.

So, as you sharpen your pencils (or just update your streaming queue), get ready to kick off the school year with a binge that’ll make homework seem like a breeze. These shows are your perfect study companions, offering the best kind of lesson: how to balance school spirit with seriously good entertainment. Grab your snacks, get comfy, and consider this your first A+ assignment of the year—no pop quizzes, just pure TV gold. Ready, set, binge!

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