Abbott Elementary Season 4: Is Ava leaving the show? Here's what we know

Abbott Elementary Season 4 dropped on ABC on October 9, 2024, and this entertaining season has kept viewers hooked to their screens. However, after Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 18, 'Audit,' dropped on March 18, viewers are concerned about the fate of a particular character at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School in Philadelphia.

Ava Eva Coleman (Janelle James), the principal of Abbott Elementary first debuted on the show's premiere episode, but after four seasons her fate looks uncertain in the American mockumentary sitcom. In Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 18 titled Audit, Ava Coleman is fired as a principal for taking bribes from the local golf course developers. However, in an interview with TheWrap, showrunners Patrick Schumaker and Justin Halpern assured viewers that Janelle James's Ava Coleman was not leaving the show.

Even though Ava was initially introduced as an incompetent principal she slowly became compassionate, and built healthy relations with the staff and the students. For instance in Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 13, Fundraiser, Ava kept extra school uniforms for the students who could not afford them. Although Ava's character had several flaws, she gradually became one of the fan favorites in the sitcom.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Abott Elementary Season 4. Reader discretion is advised.

---

What happened in Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 18?

In Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 18, viewers were shocked to see Principal Ava Coleman being fired from her job. Previously Ava and the teachers of Willard R. Abbott Elementary School had agreed not to report the developers of a local golf course for using non-union workers. In return, they demanded bribes (for school development accessories) from the developers.

When Crystal, played by Tatyana Ali, Ava's frenemy and principal of Liberty High, questioned why Abbott did not need supplies, Ava mistakenly spilled out that they were taking bribes from the local golf developers. Soon, Ava was informed that someone had leaked the bribing incident to the school district.

The school district thus arrived at the school to perform an audit. The teachers and the staff tried their best to clear out the fancy things purchased from the bribe money. Everything seemed in place when the school district representatives arrived but while leaving, the golf developer's lawyer Miles arrived declaring loudly that he had come with the bribe money.

The teachers felt threatened after their plan was exposed to the district representatives. However, Principal Ava took full responsibility for the bribing incidents and was fired. When Ava was leaving her office, she shared an emotional moment with Barbara, acknowledging that the students would be better off without her.

---

What did the showrunners say about Ava Coleman in Abbott Elementary Season 4?

In an interview with TheWrap showrunners Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern, have spilled about the fate of the former principal of Abbott Elementary. They have assured that Janelle James will not be leaving the show. Schumacker told,

"The story isn't over and You will see Janelle in the subsequent episodes."

In the upcoming episodes, the plotline will focus on how Abbott Elementary would adapt to the changes with Principal Ava being fired. The showrunners hinted that while Ava won't be donning the role of the principal she will be seen juggling between new hobbies and jobs. They said,

"She's a character that we've well established as having side hustles-principaling wasn't even necessarily her main source of income."

Catch the upcoming Abbott Elementary Season 4 Episode 19 'Music Class' on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, on ABC.

Also Read: ABC renews Abbott Elementary for Season 5: Reports