The first half of this season again depicts the lives of a group of high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors while the second half of this season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen, juniors, and seniors as they deal with some of the challenges and issues that teenagers face such as gang violence, parenthood, transphobia, homosexuality, drug use, dysfunctional families, mental disorders, adoption, organ transplantation, crime, bulimia, alcoholism, sex, drug abuse, and murder.

Joining the main cast are: The six actors from the first half of season eleven who did not return were Raymond Ablack, Charlotte Arnold, Argiris Karras, Shannon Kook-Chun, Jajube Mandiela, and Samantha Munro.

The casting director is Stephanie Gorin, and the editors are Jason B. Irvine, Gordon Thorne, and Paul Whitehead.

Episode writers for the season are Ramona Barchert, Cole Bastedo, Sarah Glinski, Lauren Gosnell, Michael Grassi, Matt Huether, James Hurst, Shelley Scarrow, Duana Taha, and Brendon Yorke.

Degrassi was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in the Best Drama Series category, alongside Pretty Little Liars, Shameless, Torchwood: Miracle Day, and winner Grey's Anatomy.

[9] It also received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award in the outstanding children's program category, alongside Good Luck Charlie, iCarly, Victorious, and winner Wizards of Waverly Place.

It's spring break, and despite his mother's warnings, Drew continues to see Bianca; later at a concert, they find themselves in the sort of trouble that changes their lives forever.

Alli needs to break the news about her summer program to Dave sooner or later, so she plans a special night for them.

As Graduation Day arrives, Fiona has to face her demons when her loneliness and guilt over her relapse, which forces her to push her loved ones away.

But when an unexpected visitor arrives, the evening becomes challenging for more than just their relationships, and a few unlucky students get caught in the crossfire of this deadly encounter.

Also, Katie is concerned that Bianca has been spending too much time with Drew, and after finding some weed, she gets high with Marisol.

And after Dave breaks her heart, Alli commits a betrayal that could end her friendship with Clare for good, and creepy things begin to happen around the cabin that scare them all.