The essence of any school lies in its school spirits. This unseen energy connects everyone from students to faculty. But how exactly does this feeling come alive in everyday school life like classes or sports events?
Ever since I was a student myself, I’ve found this idea fascinating because experiencing genuine school spirit firsthand had such an impact on me. School spirit isn’t just about events like pep rallies or symbols like mascots; it’s rooted in belongingness and collective pride. Given our current climate filled with division and loneliness, nurturing strong school connections feels vital right now.
So, let’s explore what makes school spirits tick, and how we can cultivate them in our own communities. Trust me, it’s a journey worth taking.
Table Of Contents:
- What Is the TV Show ‘School Spirits’ About?
- Who Are the Main Characters in ‘School Spirits’?
- When Will Season 2 of ‘School Spirits’ Be Released?
- What Can We Expect from ‘School Spirits’ Season 2?
- Who Are the Creators Behind ‘School Spirits’?
- How Has ‘School Spirits’ Been Received by Critics and Audiences?
- FAQs in Relation to School Spirits
- Conclusion
What Is the TV Show ‘School Spirits’ About?
If you love supernatural teen dramas, you’ve got to watch School Spirits. This new TV show features Peyton List and premiered on Paramount+ in March 2023.
Based on an upcoming graphic novel by Nate and Megan Trinrud, along with Maria Nguyen’s art, School Spirits tells the story of Maddie Nears. After mysteriously disappearing from Split River High, she finds herself trapped in the afterlife.
The Premise of ‘School Spirits’
Maddie’s sudden transformation into a ghost leaves her baffled about how it all went down. Teaming up with other young spirits, they start uncovering clues behind the odd circumstances of her death.
Maddie stumbles upon some chilling secrets about her high school and the people she thought she knew best. It’s a murder mystery with an eerie, supernatural edge.
Meet the Main Character Maddie
Peyton List, who you might remember from Cobra Kai, Bunk’d, or Jessie, plays Maddie. She’s a sharp and relentless protagonist always on the hunt for answers.
Stuck in some kind of bizarre limbo, Maddie watches as her family and friends grieve for her. All the while, she’s trying to figure out how she disappeared. Talk about having an identity crisis.
Maddie’s Mysterious Disappearance
School Spirits revolves around a big mystery: what really happened to Maddie Nears? This teenage girl ended up dead, but the question is how. Who or what was responsible for her sudden death?
With the help of her new ghost friends, Maddie starts uncovering a tangled mess of secrets and deception. From fellow students to close relatives, nobody is above suspicion in this mystery.
Investigating the Afterlife at Split River High
Split River High serves as the purgatory-like setting for School Spirits. It’s where Maddie and the other spirit teens are stuck until they resolve their unfinished business.
Imagine the usual high school drama, but with dead people. Maddie has to navigate the afterlife while trying to solve her own murder. Not exactly the senior year she had in mind.
Who Are the Main Characters in ‘School Spirits’?
School Spirits features a talented cast of actors who bring the ghostly teens and their living counterparts to life. Let’s get acquainted with some of these key characters.
Peyton List as Maddie
Peyton List shines as Maddie Nears, blending both vulnerability and strength. Her portrayal of a girl determined to uncover the truth behind her death is captivating.
Before starring in School Spirits, List was well-known for her roles as Tory Nichols in Cobra Kai and Emma Ross on Disney Channel’s Jessie and Bunk’d. She also appeared in Light as a Feather and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Milo Manheim as Wally Clark
Milo Manheim takes on the role of Wally Clark, one of the ghostly teens who becomes friends with Maddie. You might recognize him from Disney Channel’s Zombies movies or his part in American Housewife.
As Maddie investigates what’s really going on at Split River High, she leans heavily on Wally. Despite his playful nature, he’s got a heart of gold.
Kristian Ventura as Simon Elroy
Kristian Ventura portrays Simon Elroy, another ghost teen helping Maddie. Ventura has appeared in shows like Roswell, New Mexico, and Dexter: New Blood.
Simon might be a bit of an outsider and prefers to keep to himself, but his sharp mind and keen observations make him a real asset to the spirit squad. His humor is on the dry side, and he doesn’t open up easily.
Spencer MacPherson as Xavier Baxter
Spencer MacPherson plays Xavier Baxter, a popular jock at Split River High. MacPherson is known for his roles in Degrassi: Next Class and Reign.
Xavier is one of the living students that Maddie interacts with, watching him grieve her death and wondering about his potential involvement. He’s charming but also has a bit of a temper.
Kiara Pichardo as Nicole Herrera
Kiara Pichardo plays Nicole Herrera, a spirited teen who becomes friends with Maddie. Pichardo is a relative newcomer, with previous credits in The Society and Mother/Android.
Known for being sweet and caring, Nicole often supports Maddie and the other ghosts emotionally. Yet, she has some lingering personal struggles from when she was alive.
Sarah Nears and Claire Zomer
Rounding out the main cast are Sarah Nears and Claire Zomer, played by Chloe Rose and Ava Capri respectively. Both are spirit teens who died under mysterious circumstances.
Sarah is Maddie’s older sister who she reunites with in the afterlife. Their relationship is complicated by secrets from the past. Claire is a queen bee type with a sharp tongue and her own hidden agenda.
When Will Season 2 of ‘School Spirits’ Be Released?
After the cliffhanger ending of season 1, fans are dying to know when School Spirits will return. Unfortunately, Paramount+ has not yet announced if the show will be renewed for a second season.
The first season premiered on March 9, 2023, with all eight episodes dropping at once. If the show does get a green light for season 2, it likely wouldn’t arrive until late 2024 at the earliest.
Paramount+ typically takes a month or two after a show starts to look at viewership numbers before deciding on renewals. School Spirits has gotten good feedback from both critics and viewers, so there’s hope for another season.
In the meantime, go back through season 1 to spot any hidden details or easter eggs. Or get ready for a new angle on things with the soon-to-be-released School Spirits graphic novel.
What Can We Expect from ‘School Spirits’ Season 2?
As we wait for the official word on School Spirits season 2, let’s have some fun guessing where the story might head next. The finale of season 1 dropped a bombshell (literally) and left us with tons of questions.
Resolving the Cliffhanger Ending
In the final moments of season 1, Maddie confronts the person she believes is responsible for her death at a murder mystery party. A struggle ensues and the screen cuts to black after a gunshot.
Season 2 would likely pick up right where we left off, revealing if Maddie’s hunch was correct and what the fallout is. The rest of the spirit squad will probably team up to protect Maddie and bring her killer to justice.
New Mysteries to Uncover
While Maddie’s murder investigation will still be central, a second season of School Spirits could introduce new deaths and disappearances to solve. There are plenty of other restless spirits wandering Split River High.
The show could also delve into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the other ghost teens’ deaths. How did Wally, Simon, Nicole, and the others end up in the afterlife? Do their deaths connect to Maddie’s in some way?
Character Development and Growth
School Spirits draws you in as Maddie and her friends wrestle with their unresolved issues while adjusting to being ghosts. A second season would give us a chance to see these characters grow even more.
Now that Maddie has closure on her death, what’s next for her journey? Can she achieve peace and cross to the other side? Also, consider how each character’s history and personal struggles influence their path in the afterlife.
Expanding the World of Split River High
We got our first taste of Split River High’s supernatural side in Season 1 of School Spirits, featuring everything from spirit takeovers to clandestine groups. The next season could uncover more about the town’s lore and history.
Besides the high school, are there other haunted spots in town? How far back do these dark secrets stretch?
What kinds of supernatural creatures could Maddie and her friends run into next? The possibilities seem endless.
Who Are the Creators Behind ‘School Spirits’?
School Spirits is a labor of love for its creative crew. Join us as we explore the brilliant minds behind this spooky, intriguing show.
Megan Trinrud and Nate Trinrud as Creators
Megan Trinrud and her husband Nate are the creative forces behind School Spirits. They teamed up to write the series, drawing a lot of their ideas from their soon-to-be-released graphic novel.
Megan and Nate, who worked on Disney XD’s Mech-X4, are masters at mixing genres like mystery, sci-fi, and coming-of-age drama. With School Spirits, they wanted to dive into themes of grief and identity using a paranormal twist.
Oliver Goldstick as Executive Producer
School Spirits benefits from the leadership of veteran showrunner Oliver Goldstick who serves as its executive producer. Having worked on acclaimed shows like Pretty Little Liars and Bridgerton alongside comedies like Ugly Betty gives him plenty of credibility in crafting captivating stories.
Goldstick brings his knack for creating addictive, twisty plots and complex characters to School Spirits. He collaborates closely with the Trinruds to make their vision come alive on screen.
Awesomeness Studio and Paramount Streaming’s Involvement
School Spirits is the brainchild of Awesomeness Studio and Paramount Streaming. Awesomeness has a knack for creating popular teen and young adult shows like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Pen15.
Paramount+ has added School Spirits to its growing collection of original shows. By investing in more young adult programming, the platform aims to draw in a younger audience.
Thanks to the collaboration between Awesomeness and Paramount+, School Spirits boasts impressive production quality and can captivate a broad audience. This partnership is ideal for a show that mixes teen drama with supernatural elements.
How Has ‘School Spirits’ Been Received by Critics and Audiences?
When School Spirits premiered, both critics and viewers responded positively. The show stands out for bringing new life to the teen drama genre while thoughtfully addressing heavy themes such as grief and trauma.
School Spirits boasts a solid 75% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics are raving about Peyton List’s strong lead performance, the gripping mystery at the core of the story, and how well it mixes humor with heartfelt moments.
Praise for School Spirits often mentions similarities to fan favorites like Veronica Mars and Pretty Little Liars. Reviewers highlight how the show manages respect towards both audience intellect and character depth.
Viewers can’t get enough of School Spirits, often watching the entire first season in one go. They love its smart writing, engaging cast, and those nail-biting cliffhangers that keep them coming back for more.
The chatter on social media around School Spirits is electric, as everyone speculates on Maddie’s true story. Viewers feel connected to these characters’ paths and eagerly anticipate every new clue that comes their way.
Even though Paramount+ doesn’t share exact viewership numbers, the buzz and glowing reviews around School Spirits show it’s resonating with viewers. If it gets picked up for another season, there’s a good chance its fanbase will grow even more.
School Spirits brings a fresh vibe to teen dramas. It explores new, gripping stories while shining a light on how teens deal with loss. If you’re craving a mystery that will keep you guessing, definitely check out School Spirits.
Check out School Spirits, a supernatural teen drama starring Peyton List. Follow Maddie as she investigates her mysterious death at Split River High with other spirit teens.
FAQs in Relation to School Spirits
Is School Spirits getting a season 2?
The show’s creators have not announced an official release date for Season 2 of “School Spirits” yet.
Do they find Maddie’s body in School Spirits?
Maddie’s mysterious disappearance remains unsolved, keeping the audience guessing throughout the show.
Where can I watch School Spirits season 2?
You will be able to stream it on Paramount Streaming once it’s released. Keep checking for updates.
What happened at the end of School Spirits?
The first season ends with a cliffhanger that leaves many questions unanswered about Maddie’s fate and her afterlife investigations.
Conclusion
School spirits are the glue that holds educational communities together. They’re the shared experiences, values, and traditions that create a sense of belonging and purpose for students, teachers, and staff alike.
Building a strong sense of school spirit can make our learning environment more positive, supportive, and welcoming for everyone. It’s challenging at times but always rewarding.
So, whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or community member, I urge you to get involved and boost school spirit right where you live. Go to events, volunteer your time, show up with enthusiasm be part of something that brings everyone together.
Together, we can create a brighter future, one school spirit at a time.
Afterschool.org is on a mission to transform what communities look like for students by engaging them in afterschool project-based learning. Join the mission by starting a high-quality afterschool program near you.