Drew Ellis is Class Act’s protagonist. He experiences the most conflict and growth, and his experiences are narrated by his best friend Jordan. Drew is insecure, sometimes gleans pleasure from the suffering of others, and ghosts his friend Liam for several weeks. Despite these flaws, Drew is also brave, talented, and a loyal friend to Jordan. He is 14 years old and still figuring out how to navigate the world and different relationships. Like the novel’s title, Drew feels as if he has to put up a “class act” to fit in at school. The vast majority of Riverdale Academy Day School (RAD) students and teachers see Drew for his ethnicity and little else, stereotyping him as what they view as a typical Black child. Because of this, Drew actively resists doing things he loves, such as playing basketball, to avoid fitting stereotypes. He attends a prestigious academic school, and because he is one of the few Black students there, he is often singled out by his teacher Mr. Roche and other students, like Andy. Drew’s experiences showcase How Racism Shapes the Daily Lives of Black Children in America.

Drew’s central conflict comes into full focus after he visits his friend Liam’s mansion.