Laura is an anxious student who occupies an ambiguous social position at her school. She has a strong interest in poetry and Latin but struggles to focus on her classes due to a constant fear of peer judgment. While she prepares a presentation on civil rights and intellectually understands the injustice of discrimination, she inwardly judges others based on the same appearance-based standards she claims to despise.

Rachel is an ostracized student who faces severe bullying regarding her clothing and family background. She has changed her last name from Hortensky to Horton to obscure her Eastern European, working-class roots. Despite the constant cruelty from her peers and her noticeable physical awkwardness, she remains open and actively tries to make connections with classmates like Laura.

The "In" Group is a cohesive clique of socially powerful, conventionally attractive students who dictate the school's social hierarchy. The members dress similarly in fluffy sweaters and pleated skirts, enforcing narrow standards of acceptability. They rely on shared appearance and coordinated exclusionary tactics to maintain their dominance over the rest of the student body.

Miss Merrill is an English teacher who prioritizes superficial order over true fairness in her classroom. She conducts student presentations on serious topics like civil rights while remaining seemingly oblivious to the quiet disruptions occurring at the back of the room. Her failure to intervene when students are mocked enables a toxic social hierarchy to thrive.

Diane is a socially powerful leader within the popular crowd. She dictates the actions of her peers and coordinates mysterious, exclusive activities at the back of the classroom. Her confident demeanor and mocking smile make her a central figure in the school's oppressive social environment.

Terri is an active and vocal member of the popular clique. She participates closely in planning and executing the group's coordinated pranks. By openly mocking marginalized students, she helps enforce the appearance-based judgments that keep the clique in power.

Steve is a confident and disruptive male member of the popular crowd. He feels emboldened by the lack of authoritative consequences in the classroom, allowing him to loudly and directly insult marginalized students without fear of reprimand.

Ellen is a member of the popular crowd who uses peer pressure to draw others into her exclusionary behavior. She attempts to make mocking others a shared activity, casually disparaging marginalized students to test the allegiance of bystanders.

Jacob Hortensky is a working-class tailor who runs a small, greasy shop with an attached living space that smells of cooked cabbage. His trade, economic status, and implied Eastern European ancestry are frequently gossiped about by the student body, serving as the root cause for his daughter's social marginalization.

Carol is a member of the popular clique at school. Along with her peers, she contributes to the unified front that dictates the school's social hierarchy, adding to the pressure felt by students outside the group.

Bill is a male student who belongs to the exclusive popular crowd. He participates in the group's collective behavior, expanding the clique's intimidating presence beyond just the popular girls.

Nancy is a recognized member of the popular crowd. Like the rest of the group, her presence in the hallways and classrooms reinforces the highly judgmental environment that marginalizes non-conforming students.