Teen shows don’t always get it right — and that’s not new. It’s tough to make compelling TV that truly reflects the everyday realities teenagers face, especially the quiet struggles beneath the surface.
Too often, the drama feels overblown, the cast looks like they’re pushing 30, and the dialogue reads like a writer’s guess at what teens are like, which usually means leaning on tired tropes.
But lately, there have been plenty of shows that deliver honest, sometimes gritty, depictions of what growing up really looks like today.
From the pressures of fitting in and figuring out identity to the harsh reality of having to grow up fast, these series get it right. Below, I’ve rounded up 15 shows that capture what it’s really like to be a kid in school these days.
5.
Sex Education (Netflix, 2019-present)
6.
Young Sheldon (CBS, 2017-present)
7.
13 Reasons Why (Netflix, 2017-2020)
8.
Adolescence (Netflix, 2025)
9.
On My Block (Netflix, 2018-2021)
10.
Heartstopper (Netflix, 2022-present)
11.
Grand Army (Netflix, 2020)
12.
Everything Sucks! (Netflix, 2018)
13.
Big Shot (Disney+, 2021-2022)
14.
Wednesday (Netflix, 2022-present)
15.
Elite (Netflix, 2018-present)
What are some shows that you feel capture the school experience accurately? Let me know in the comment section below!