In its original American broadcast, "Lisa Gets an 'A'" was seen by approximately 8 million viewers, and finished in 51st place in ratings the week it aired.

Following its broadcast, a scene in the episode garnered criticism from the Catholic League, but the controversy went largely ignored by The Simpsons' staff.

After a long morning at church, the Simpsons go to the grocery store Eatie Gourmet's to take advantage of free samples in lieu of a Sunday brunch and Bart's suggestion that the family go Catholic so they can have "communion wafers and booze".

Lisa is derisive about playing one of Bart's video games in order to pass the time, but soon becomes addicted to it, and consequently ignores the homework on The Wind in the Willows that she is given by Ralph.

The next day at school, Principal Skinner informs Lisa that her test grade has brought Springfield Elementary's GPA up to the state's minimum standard, and they now qualify for a basic assistance grant.

During the presentation, Lisa says that she understands how desperately the school needs the basic assistance grant money, but also says that the truth is more important, confessing that she cheated.

After she leaves the auditorium, however, it is revealed that Skinner, Chalmers and Bart have fooled Lisa by staging a fake presentation before the real one as the "comptroller" was Otto in a rubber mask.

Later that night, a distraught yet satisfied Homer eats Pinchy, frequently alternating as he does so between continuing to tearfully mourn his death and gleefully finding his meat delicious.

[1] In its original American broadcast on November 22, 1998, "Lisa Gets an 'A'" received an 8.0 rating, according to Nielsen Media Research, translating to approximately 8 million viewers.

The episode finished in 51st place in the ratings for the week of November 16–22, 1998, tied with the ABC program Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

In an issue of the Catholic League's monthly newspaper Catalyst, the organization wrote "The Fox animated TV show, The Simpsons, is loved by millions for its engaging characters.

"[9] They added that William Anthony Donohue, the current president of the organization, had sent a letter to Fox, reading "Can you possibly explain why this dialogue was included in the show?"

In response, Thomas Chavez, Fox's manager for broadcast standards and practices, wrote a "lengthy" letter, in part re-printed on the same issue of Catalyst.

[9]According to Mark I. Pinsky, author of The Gospel According to The Simpsons, the Catholic League was "not persuaded" by Chavez's letter, and stated that they "sarcastically" responded in Catalyst: "Now why didn't we think of that?

Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood of I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide described it as "A fabulously defining moment in Lisa's life, showing what happens if you let your guard slip."

They continued by writing "What makes this work even more is the false ending which shows that everyone in Springfield is as adept at predicting Lisa's morality as the viewers are."

"[5] Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide wrote that he "[took] great delight in the way this episode skewers the skewed priorities of the educational establishment."

[13] James Plath of DVD Town wrote that "the real fun in this episode comes from Homer's attachment to a lobster he brings home.