It's the beginning of a new school year at Marshall Middle School. But for a group of girls, it feels more like the end of an era. The coach of the dance team has retired, and the principal does not have a coach this year. The news is a huge disappointment. It's one of the few school activities they actually enjoy. The girls soon learn that Ms. Bartlett, the new biology teacher, studied dance at the famed arts conservatory, The Julliard School. They turn on their charm and Ms. Bartlett agrees to be their new coach. The team's performance at the first competition of the year is a disaster, to everyone's dismay. Daisy, the best dancer in the troupe and the girls' leader, challenges Ms. Bartlett to be a more effective coach and the team begins to make real progress. The girls want to enter another competition, but Ms. Bartlett feels they are not ready. Determined to compete, the girls take matters into their own hands - without school or parental permission. They enter the competition and do well, winning 3rd place. But, their excitement fades when they return to Marshall and are greeted by worried parents. Ms. Bartlett is upset too, and is ready to quit until she and Daisy have a heart-to-heart talk. As a result, Ms. Bartlett resolves to give it her all and the girls are soon back together practicing innovative dance moves. Daisy, drawing on her Hispanic background, comes up with a new motto, "Si, se puede," which means "Yes, we can." To get to the finals, the girls must cope with troubled relationships, failing grades, low self-esteem and a lack of funds. Their new "si, se puede" attitude pulls them through each crisis and they take 2nd place at the finals, earning a spot at the regional competition and the admiration of their parents and friends.