When the Simpsons visit Marge's childhood home and discover a box of her old belongings, Lisa is surprised to learn that Marge was once a stellar A+ student. After discovering that a distraction caused Marge's grades to slip in high school, Lisa fears that she will end up just like her mom unless she pledges to focus solely on academics. When Lisa learns that prep school Cloisters Academy is accepting new students, Marge puts her feelings aside and makes a secret deal allowing Lisa to attend her dream school. Meanwhile, Bart puts Nelson and his bully ways in place and unintentionally claims the title of School Bully, and Lisa learns a lesson in family and altruism.

When a pigeon flies through the Simpsons' home and suffers a broken wing, Bart makes it his duty to care for the bird - whom he names Ray - and nurse it back to health. When Ray is ready to fly, Homer decides to enter him in a bird race when Danica Patrick appears to him in a dream. Things don't go according to plan, however, when Santa's Little Helper swallows Ray. Worried that Bart needs some help getting over the loss, Marge and Homer take him to a therapy session with Dr. Thurston, who advises that the only cure for Bart's blues is to give away the family dog. But when the Simpsons visit the pup's new home, a shock causes them to rethink their decision. Blackboard: ' "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is as good as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" '.