The film had its world premiere at Little Rock Central High School, with an introduction by President-Elect of the United States Bill Clinton.

Productions and the Disney Channel received a Peabody Award for presenting "a story which reminds adults and teaches children about the courageous steps taken toward the elimination of discrimination in American society".

Ernest, who is worried about what may happen to him if he attends Central High, reminds Marcus of Crispus Attucks' story, telling him, "the first to defy is the first to die."

At dinner, Ernest's whole family, including his wise grandfather, support his decision and vow to stand by him whatever happens.

When Ernest gets home, his elderly neighbor is concerned about the negative attention he will receive at Central High after seeing him in the newspaper.

Bates hires attorney Thurgood Marshall to justify the Nine's right to attend Central High School.

The white students continue to torment the Little Rock Nine, stealing Ernest's physics notes that he needs to pass his midterm exams.

Ernest gets cut on glass in the showers, Minnijean Brown, another African-American student, gets called names, and Elizabeth Eckford is knocked down the stairs.

Minnijean stands up to the principal and gets expelled, Elizabeth breaks down, and Ernest tackles a bully and gets suspended because nobody believes he was acting in self-defense.

In the epilogue, Ernest notes that Little Rock Central High closed after he graduated to prevent further racial integration.