Haruhi is a first-year student at the elite Ouran Academy, attending on a rare scholarship thanks to her exceptional academic abilities. Unlike most students at the school—who come from extremely wealthy families—Haruhi comes from a modest, working-class background and lives with her laid-back father, a cross-dressing host. Because she grew up without much concern for appearances or social status, Haruhi tends to be practical, grounded, and refreshingly indifferent to wealth and luxury.