Frustrated by students she perceives as provincial and unwilling to marry her wealthy suitor, George Jenkins, Miss Brodie seeks an appointment at the elite Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh.

Newly arrived in Edinburgh, Miss Brodie gives a dramatic speech, meets her students, offends conservative Miss Gaunt, and draws the attention of handsome, married art teacher Teddy Lloyd.

Having fallen under the spell of their passionate, charismatic teacher, students Sandy and Jenny fuel their romantic fantasies with made-up stories and try to convince Miss Brodie to tell them the facts of life.

An admirer of all things Italian -- including Mussolini -- Miss Brodie develops a special interest in an Italian student, but when the girl's father explains the real reason for the family's move to Edinburgh, Miss Brodie sees things differently.

After Miss Brodie mistakenly concludes that one of her students, the beautiful young Rose, is a poor, neglected orphan, she lavishes her with attention, causing jealousy and resentment among the other girls.

The famous ballerina Anna Pavlova is coming to Edinburgh, and Miss Brodie insists that her girls experience this important cultural event, enthusiastically predicting the future stardom of one of her students.