Racism shapes the lives of Black children in America, and the characters of Class Act are no exception. The novel’s most prominent theme focuses on how racial stereotyping and acts of covert racism affect how Black children live and view themselves and the world. The story’s protagonist, Drew, comes from a working-class background and lives in a housing project, and his best friend, Jordan, does not have much more. Drew is particularly disadvantaged because his parents are absent; he is being raised by his grandmother, who works two jobs and is seldom home. Jordan lives in a small flat in the inner-city, and his parents work hard to provide what he needs. Both boys face issues of self-worth, experiences of prejudice, and social alienation due to their race.

Every moment of Drew’s life is shaped by the fact that he is African American—an ethnic group with a complex history in the United States. From the moment he wakes up, Drew is reminded that he has little and that his working grandmother is exhausted. He attends Riverdale Academy Day School (RAD), an expensive, prestigious academic school for which he earned a scholarship. Drew is conscious of the fragility of his position and knows that he is under immense pressure to keep being able to attend the school.