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Parents' Guide to

School of Rock

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Standout Jack Black in nerds-become-cool comedy.

Movie PG-13 2003 108 minutes
School of Rock Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 30 parent reviews

erinmidwife
erinmidwife Adult
December 29, 2018
age 13+

contains sexist and sexually explicit content

This movie is more for adults than it is for kids, and it's not even entertaining. Maybe if you like butt rock. But there IS sexually explicit language despite the rating, including one of the school girls saying she does not want the position of "groupie" in the band because they're sluts and "all groupies do is sleep with the band members." Many references to women being hot, and the women characters are also poorly portrayed as stereotypes, ie uptight, meddling girlfriend who kills her boyfriend's dreams and unfeeling, tightly wound school marm principle. I was forced to give it an age rating but really I don't think sexist, sexually demeaning language is appropriate for any kids and of course doesn't actually add anything to the movie.
UncleChris
UncleChris Parent of 4, 6 and 10-year-old
November 15, 2021
age 8+

Funny & fun for all! May get kids interested in music.

Enjoyable for the whole family. Really funny and charming. Sure, there's some language but overall it's more on par with what would have been PG when we were kids. It's really well done, the quality is top notch (it's Richard Linklater) so adults that aren't extremely uptight will enjoy themselves immensely and most kids will too. The parents (or grandparents) will likely enjoy the music more than the kids (it's classic rock, 70s/80s hard rock) WARNING: Kids may want to take up an instrument after watching this. That's great except there's a real life School of Rock (100+ locations worldwide) that charges $$$.
See all 30 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In SCHOOL OF ROCK, Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, a musician who doesn't just live for rock -- he barely acknowledges that there is anything else. Like the music he loves, Dewey is loud, immature, messy, self-absorbed, passionate, incapable of complying with any authority, rule, or attempt at civilization, and just about irresistible. So he is astonished when he is fired by his band. And when his best friend Ned (screenwriter Mike White), a former rocker-turned-substitute teacher, says he will have to move out if he does not start paying rent. When Dewey intercepts a call from Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack) offering Ned a substitute teacher position for fifth graders at a posh prep school, he accepts and shows up pretending to be Ned. The kids and Dewey learn something new through the experience.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (30 ):
Kids say (135 ):

If there was ever someone born to portray the true spirit of rock 'n' roll, it's Jack Black. That is what School of Rock needed, and that is just what he does.

This is by far the most accessible and conventional film from director Richard Linklater (Waking Life, Dazed and Confused) and White (Chuck and Buck, The Good Girl), neither of whom are known for heartwarming, feel-good movies. But that is what this is, a sort of To Sir With Love crossed with This is Spinal Tap. Black is enormously entertaining and the kids are terrific.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how much Dewey loves rock 'n' roll in School of Rock. Why is it so important to him? What does it allow him to express?

  • How does School of Rock compare with other movies you've seen about starting or performing in a band?

  • What's the most important thing Dewey learns from the kids, and what is the most important thing they learn from him?

  • How do the characters in School of Rock demonstrate self-control, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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