Frank Adler, a single man living in a coastal town in Florida, is raising his spirited young niece, Mary. Mary demonstrates remarkable mathematical abilities for her age, attracting the attention of her school teacher, Bonnie Stevenson. After revealing these exceptional talents, Mary is offered a scholarship to a private school designed for gifted children. However, Frank is determined to provide Mary with a normal life, honoring the wishes of his late sister, who wanted Mary to experience childhood without the pressures associated with her intelligence.

Complicating matters further, Frank's estranged mother, Evelyn, arrives with a different agenda. Believing that Mary’s abilities should be nurtured at the highest level, Evelyn seeks custody over her granddaughter and a legal battle ensues. The court case pits Frank’s desire for Mary's normal upbringing against Evelyn's ambitions for her academic future. As the family struggle unfolds, hidden truths surface and difficult decisions have to be made, challenging both Frank and Evelyn to consider what might be best for Mary's overall well-being and happiness.