Callie makes a life-changing leap in order to better her future and earn back the trust of her loved ones. Brandon makes a move of his own, much to Callie's disappointment. Stef is called to testify in Mike's case and is faced with a decision that could mean losing her job. Meanwhile, Jude unravels a mysterious message, and Mariana makes a bold move to win Chase's attention.
Callie finds a way to use her photography skills for a good cause, but it unintentionally leads to trouble for someone she cares about. In an effort to clear his own conscience, Brandon makes a deal with an unscrupulous classmate and finds himself in over his head. Mariana deals with the unwelcome consequences of her stunt to earn Chase's affection, and tension comes to a head between Jesus and Emma during a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Stef and Lena contemplate another big step for their family.
Jesus feels the pressure to make a difficult choice and his inability to focus poses a challenge during an important wrestling match. Callie suspects Brandon has gotten himself into a bad situation and struggles with the decision to protect him at the cost of another friend’s reputation. Stef and Lena reveal a caveat to Callie and Jude’s adoption and the siblings must decide whether they want to face their past or move on with their new lives. Mariana gets an unsettling glimpse into her friend Zac’s home life when his mom shows up.
An encounter with her father leaves Callie conflicted about her future and worried about the effect the reunion will have on Jude. Meanwhile, Jesus struggles to maintain his focus at school without his ADHD medication, and Mariana gets an unexpected invitation from Zac’s mom. Lena and Stef come to a major decision with the help of a good friend.
As the high school’s Winter Ball approaches, Mariana and Jesus fret about dates and a surprise nomination for Winter Queen raises suspicions. Zac’s mom shows up at school to talk to Lena. An old friend pays a visit to Callie wanting to make amends, and Brandon feels threatened. But a past mistake could cause Brandon to lose Callie for good. Ana returns with unsettling news for Stef.
Stef and Mike are faced with the repercussions of a shocking revelation, and the fallout could destroy lives and relationships. Callie contemplates her upcoming adoption and Brandon’s frustration leads him to make another regrettable decision. Mariana supports a friend with a difficult decision, and Jesus resolves to make a change for the better as he manages his ADHD. Jude gets asked out on a date.
it’s a big day for Callie as her future with the Fosters hinges on the revelation that Donald is not her birth father. What happens next could threaten to separate Callie and Jude once again. Brandon struggles to recover and come to terms with his guilt over sleeping with Dani, and big questions still remain about what Mike was up to the night Ana disappeared. Meanwhile, Jesus and Emma’s relationship impacts Emma’s standing with her teammates, which causes tension between them. Mariana has made a big change, much to Stef’s dismay.
Brandon contemplates a big decision that could either restore or destroy his dream of playing piano, but Stef and Lena find themselves on opposite ends of the debate. The Foster siblings plot to cheer Brandon up by taking him out to see a band and he butts heads with the sexy lead singer Lou. Meanwhile, Stef confronts Mike about his whereabouts the night Ana disappeared. A mysterious stranger keeps tabs on Callie, and Callie is faced with a choice that could further complicate her life. An encounter with Connor's dad creates a rift in Jude and Connor's friendship. And Jesus begins to feel threatened by Emma's independent spirit.
Stef and Lena go on a babymoon, leaving Brandon and Callie in charge of the house. Brandon’s bandmates pressure him into having a few friends over to hear their new sound, but when Mariana and Jesus find out, the night turns into an all-out rager. Determined to follow Stef and Lena’s rules, Callie tries to police the party but fails miserably. Jude finds himself in an awkward game of spin the bottle. Meanwhile, Lena tries to reconnect with Stef, who is finding it hard to relax on their weekend getaway.
Callie makes an important decision to address the hold-up in her adoption face on, but Jude may be more affected by her choice than he lets show. Things heat up between Callie and Wyatt, but Callie realizes she may not be emotionally ready to take the next step. Lena vies for the Principal's job at Anchor Beach, which causes some friction in her already rocky relationship with Timothy. When the dance team holds auditions for a new member, Mariana questions why she was chosen to join the team, and she doesn't like the answer.
Callie frets about the anxiety her recent decisions have caused Jude. Emma second-guesses her breakup with Jesus, putting him in an awkward position with a new love interest and with Mariana, who becomes unwillingly involved in his dilemma. Stef struggles with her suspicions about Mike and debates moving forward with her investigation into Ana’s disappearance. When Brandon’s bandmates take him on a hike for some “special” inspiration, Brandon opens up to an unexpected confidant about his past transgressions. And Callie’s emotions get the better of her when things get hot and heavy with Wyatt.
Tragedy strikes the Fosters and they must look to each other for strength. Stef confronts Mike about Ana, and he comes clean about why he was at the halfway house the night of Ana's disappearance. Meanwhile, Wyatt seeks relationship advice from a very uncomfortable Brandon, and Mariana is still furious with Jesus for putting her in the middle of his girl problems.
Lena supports Brandon as he unloads a long-held secret that could tear his family apart. Callie brings Jude for a visit with the Quinn family in the hopes that Jude will no longer feel so threatened by this other side of Callie's life. Meanwhile, Jesus is torn between feelings of guilt over his failed relationship with Emma and pressure to prove his loyalty to Hayley. Mariana's dance team prepares for an upcoming competition, and her insecurities threaten to get the best of her.
Callie pays a visit to Girls United to pitch in for Community Day and is surprised by new developments at her former foster group home. Paranoid neighbors are putting pressure on the home’s landlord to kick the girls out, and a new resident has secrets that could jeopardize the safety of the entire group. Meanwhile, Mariana and Hayley plan to cook a romantic double-date dinner for Mat and Jesus. And Stef receives a concerning letter from Ana.
The Foster kids attend a Mexican street festival, but the fun day takes a turn when emotions flare up. With help from Wyatt, Callie works to overcome her recent bout of panic attacks by learning to trust her instincts, but an encounter with someone from the past threatens to violently derail her progress. Mat surprises Mariana with a date at the festival and is confused when Mariana seems offended. Jesus tries to impress Hayley but she wants him to prove he’s with her for more than just sex. Meanwhile, Mike and Ana make plans to right past wrongs.
In an effort to help Rita with a dilemma involving Girls United, Callie calls in a favor from her wealthy biological father, Robert Quinn. But an unexpected betrayal threatens to derail the new bond she's forging with the Quinns. Meanwhile, the pressure Connor faces from his father to end his friendship with Jude intensifies and leads Lena to make a life-changing decision. The tension mounts between Brandon and Lou, despite their bandmate Mat's warnings against drama. And a visit with someone from his past makes Jesus see his relationship with Hayley in a whole new light.
As Callie and Jude spend their first Christmas with the Fosters, Callie feels the sting of still being an official foster kid while Jude’s guilt over having been adopted has him overcompensating. Stef feels that Grandma Sharon’s gift giving is excessive, especially when she learns where the money is coming from. Lena must face her own bias against another family member. Meanwhile, Jesus enters the neighborhood house decorating competition and is accused of cheating by his neighbor Mr. Nesbit.
As Callie tries to wrap her head around Robert's change-of-heart, an ambulance shows up at the Quinn's house. Stef and Lena find themselves on opposite sides of several issues, including Lena's sudden decision to quit her job. Brandon is offered an opportunity to attend a prestigious summer music program. Mariana struggles when her dance team leader changes the lineup the day before the competition. Meanwhile, Jesus secretly attends Ana's AA meeting and is shocked by what he hears.
The Adams fosters kids are not very excited to head out to the wilderness for a family camping trip, but Jesus shakes things up when he can no longer hold onto his secrets and gets a surprise visit. Callie and Brandon awkwardly navigate their relationship while Jude gets fed up with the way he’s being treated. Meanwhile, Mike asks Ana to move in with him.
Callie decides to try a new tactic with Robert while Brandon aims to convince the band that his mom’s rules can work for everyone. News about Ana’s situation gives Mariana an idea that would affect the entire Adams Foster family. Meanwhile, Jude tries to make amends with Connor and agrees to go on a group date.
Hiding a secret, Callie helps Daphne prepare for an official visit with her daughter, but both fear they may be recognized for their past actions. Things go awry when Brandon and his band play a "farm" party. With Mariana's urging, Stef and Lena consider Ana's proposal. Meanwhile, Jesus is offered an opportunity to attend a top-rated wrestling school.
Mariana finds it difficult to deal with impending changes at home and focuses her attention on organizing a student protest over an administrative incident at school. Meanwhile, when she learns Kiara is back in town and on the streets, Callie is willing to do anything she can in order to help her friend, even if that means disobeying Stef’s orders and putting herself in danger. Jude finally confronts Connor over the mixed messages he’s been sending, leading to a make-or-break moment in their friendship.
Stef confides in Lena and Callie about a plan that will make it possible for the Adams Fosters to adopt Callie, but she’s not being fully honest about some of the steps she’s taken to put the plan in motion. In turn, Lena hasn’t been completely truthful with Stef about her conflicting emotions over expanding their family. Meanwhile, Brandon has an opportunity to pursue his dream of being a classical musician, but it could come at a price. Jude breaks the rules in order to be with Connor and faces dire consequences.
Callie meets another roadblock in her pursuit of a happier future, leading her to confront past demons. Mariana, troubled by the uncertain future of Ana’s baby, follows up on a letter Ana wrote to relatives. Meanwhile, Jude faces the painful fallout of a bad decision. Lena confides in Monte about her difficulties at home.
As the family deals with the aftermath of the accident, Stef is determined to find the driver responsible for the crash. Callie continues to volunteer at the drop-in center where she meets AJ, a foster teen runaway searching for his older brother. Brandon starts at the Idyllwild Music Program and quickly realizes that he will be faced with serious competition. Meanwhile, Jude tells Connor he prefers to keep their relationship private at school.
As part of their annual tradition, Stef and Lena have Mike over for Father's Day brunch. Jude surprises everyone, especially Callie, by inviting his biological father, Donald to join them. Callie spends Father's Day with the Quinns and hears some surprising news. Frustrated by his situation at Idyllwild, Brandon let's off some steam with his classmates.
Callie thinks she's celebrating her 17th birthday with just the family, but Jude surprises her with a house party. Jude's surprise risks exposing both Callie's and Mariana's secrets when he innocently invites Rafael and Wyatt to attend. Meanwhile, Brandon's suspicions about AJ's behavior come to a head, and Mariana and Callie decide to buy a car together without telling their moms.
Stef and Lena hesitate to give their blessing when Mariana's biological grandfather tells her she must be baptized in order to be her new half-sister Isabella's godmother. Callie's actions at her birthday party are called out by Stef, and they make a big decision in order to avoid jeopardizing her adoption.
The family heads to Idyllwild for Brandon's music competition where long-held feelings are revealed and life-changing secrets are unveiled. Callie finds herself in danger of being hurt when she questions Carmen and Brooke's motives directly. Mike witnesses an unexpected connection that may support Stef's theory for finding the hit-and-run driver.
Amid tensions in their own relationship, Stef and Lena host a 40th anniversary party for Lena's parents. Callie faces the judge who will determine the consequences of her actions, all while holding a secret that could change everything. Meanwhile, Mariana decides that she must find a way to repair her relationship with Mat.
Former foster teen Callie is now officially adopted into the Adams Foster family. She must put aside any romantic feelings for Brandon and does so by throwing herself into her “Fost and Found” website, even drawing the interest of an investor. After his performance at Disney Hall, Brandon is approached by a recruiter from Juilliard. Mariana launches her campaign to run for junior class president while Jesus tries to hide the reason why he doesn’t want to go back to wrestling school. When Mike discovers a secret his foster son, AJ, is keeping, he is torn about what to do with the information. Jude must face the fact that his boyfriend has decided to move away, and a serious medical issue for Stef results in a clash of opinion between her wife, Lena, and her mother, Sharon. Meanwhile, Sharon introduces the family to her liberal-minded friend, Will.
Callie is surprised to find that Jude is spending time with Jack, a quirky foster teen they met at a foster youth event. Brandon and Mat decide to write a Romeo & Juliet rock musical as their senior thesis project, but they disagree over who should play Juliet. Meanwhile, Jesus asks Ana about the identity of his and Mariana's birth father.
After Callie and Jude discover Jack is being abused by other boys in his group foster home, they turn to foster care advocate Justina to get him help. Jesus attempts to get to know Gabe at work even as Nick urges him to tell Gabe the truth about who he is. Meanwhile, Mariana is surprised when Nick asks her out.
When Stef and Lena discover Callie wants to film an endorsement supporting a new foster care reform bill, they express concern, prompting Callie to seek out Rita for support. Hoping to impress Mariana, Nick turns to Jesus for advice on planning their first date. Meanwhile, Stef recovers from a medical procedure
Brandon’s senior thesis is in jeopardy when a student raises concerns about the play glorifying suicide, leaving the school honor board to vote on whether or not his Romeo and Juliet musical can be performed at Anchor Beach. Rita’s daughter Chloe reaches out to Callie after Rita refuses to take her calls. Meanwhile, Stef teaches a class on handling emotion as part of a Youth Outreach Program.
Jesus is upset after his plans for a low key birthday are supplanted by Mariana, who plans a huge dance party instead. Jude is excited by the prospect of a weekend visit with Connor. Meanwhile, Callie and Brandon strike a truce by agreeing not to bring their new respective significant others home or to family functions.
During a rehearsal for Brandon and Mat’s “Romeo and Juliet” musical, Zoe tells Nick that Mariana cheated on Mat when they dated, causing Mariana to fear that Nick will end their relationship. Callie serves as a character witness for her friend Daphne, who is desperately trying to get her daughter back. Meanwhile, Jesus and Mariana want to help their birth father.
As they perform the parts of Romeo and Juliet on the show's big opening night, Mat and Mariana are forced to face the depth of their feelings for each other. The musical performance sparks heightened emotion for members of the Adams Foster family, causing them to reflect on recent events. Meanwhile, a domestic violence call leads Stef to a tragic discovery.
In the wake of a tragic loss, the family pulls together and searches for answers. Callie makes a shocking discovery that has her questioning her loyalties. Nick gives Mariana an expensive gift, adding to her guilt about what happened between her and Mat. Meanwhile, Brandon tells his moms that Cortney has a child, and finds himself in a predicament after her ex-husband kicks Cortney out of their apartment.
Tensions run high as Stef and Lena are called to action when the school is put on lockdown after it’s discovered that Mariana’s boyfriend Nick brought his father’s gun on campus, after seeing her kiss her ex-boyfriend Mat. Callie admits her past relationship with Brandon to her moms. But before Stef and Lena can even process the information, the school goes into the “Code Blue” lockdown.
After being given the all clear to head home, tensions are still running high in the Adams Foster household. Fragile and skittish from the school lockdown, the family sticks close, but their secrets keep them apart. Callie and Brandon anxiously wait for their moms to address their behavior in Idyllwild while Stef warns everyone to stay off their phones and computers due to the rumors swirling around their family. Meanwhile, Brandon sneaks out to help Cortney move, leading to a major blowup between him and Stef.
In the aftermath of the school lockdown, Mariana is called out by other students who blame her for Nick’s actions. Callie is also taunted at school and her inappropriate reaction gets her suspended. But what starts off as a punishment turns into an adventure when she meets Aaron, a handsome young law student who knows nothing about her or her past. Meanwhile, when Taylor invites Jude to her church youth group, he questions her motives.
Callie starts her senior project of photographing the outside of her and Jude’s seven former foster homes. But, when an unexpected encounter with a former foster mother brings her inside, Callie decides to reach out to other people who have fostered her and is shocked to learn that a 17-year-old former foster brother has been convicted of murder. Stressed out by the hardships of supporting himself and Cortney, Brandon throws a house party and things take a turn for the worse. Stef and Lena offer to pay for an attorney to help get Gabe off of the sex offender registry, which is currently putting Lena’s job at risk and causing friction between Mike and Ana. Meanwhile, Mariana tells her moms that, in order to feel safe again, she wants to visit Nick and put an end to their relationship once and for all.
Lena is excited that her family is coming together to throw her a 70s-themed 40th birthday party. But, when Lena's mom Dana shares her suspicions about Stewart's behavior, it threatens to put a damper on the festivities. Convinced her former foster brother Kyle has been wrongly convicted of murder, Callie and Aaron try to track down a witness in the case. Mariana and her female STEAM club teammates compete for an invite to the Regional Robotics Competition.
Lena and Stef are shocked by a secret Lena's father has been hiding that could jeopardize the entire family. Meanwhile, Lena confronts Brandon about the money he gave Cortney; Mariana must deal with the male members of her STEAM team; Jesus begins to resent Emma; and Jude discovers Noah has a medical marijuana card.
Jesus sustains an injury after he tries to cover for his father who didn't show up for work. Meanwhile, Mariana takes Jesus' ADHD medication after feeling drained; Callie and AJ are caught in an awkward situation when Brandon and Mike arrive home early; and Stef tells Mike that Brandon gave his settlement money to Cortney.
Brandon travels to New York City for his Julliard audition and meets a girl who forces him to take a hard look at his life, including his relationship with Cortney. Meanwhile, Stef and Lena make an unexpected announcement that leaves the family in shock. And Callie’s friendship with Aaron causes friction between her and AJ.
In the midseason finale, Callie and the family set-up a Justice for Jack booth at the music festival in the hopes of stopping Justine's foster-care bill; but Callie's advocation for both Kyle and Jack puts her in danger. Meanwhile, tensions between AJ and Aaron escalate; and Mariana flees from the festival after seeing Nick, leading the family to frantically search for her.
In the aftermath of Jesus’ fight with Nick over Mariana, Jesus is knocked out. On the way to the hospital, things take a turn for the worse, leaving him fighting for his life. Meanwhile, Callie finds herself in a dangerous situation after taking a ride with Troy and Mariana is guilt-ridden over the fact that her actions led to Jesus’ current condition.
Sharon and Will (guest stars Annie Potts, "Chicago Med," and Rob Morrow, "Billions") return to the Adams Foster home with news that they are engaged. While the family happily prepares for the wedding ceremony, Stef learns that her mom is having second thoughts about getting married. In an effort to come clean with Jesus, Emma writes him a letter but learns he is hiding a secret of his own. Meanwhile, Jude is teased at school when Lena organizes an LGBTQ-friendly sex ed class for students.
It seems just about everyone in the Adams-Foster household has a secret, but unfortunately for each of them, they all start spilling out. With Callie’s court date inching closer, Robert’s attorneys present a defense strategy that Callie vehemently opposes. Monte and Lena join forces to stop Drew’s underhanded dealings. Stef works to bust Diamond’s pimp. Jesus asks Gabe to keep a secret from his moms.