OVERACHIEVING
The idea that Mrs. Garrett and Tootie need to be separated because black children are at risk for underachieving is brilliantly resolved when Tootie's father is reminded what HE wanted to be at her age and Mrs. Garrett assures him that Eastland will make sure Tootie winds up with a career she LOVES.
DOPE
Brilliant for that fact that
1) it's goody two-shoes Sue Ann that's heading down the wrong path and snotty Blair that's doing the right thing
2) There's a brilliant comedy riff between Tootie and Edna about preppie nicknames.
DOUBLE STANDARD
Idea that people from different social classes can and do date. Idea that date rape can and does exist---and should be very openly discussed even back then