In real life, Jim Varney dropped out of high school to pursue his acting career.
The only "Ernest" movie not directed by John R. Cherry III. This was directed by "Ernest" collaborator Coke Sams. Emshell Producers had a three movie deal with the ABC network (they secured financing while also acquiring network television rights). They figured they could make them faster if they would shoot one while prepping another one, and then they would shoot another one afterward. John directed Ernest Rides Again (1993), while Coke produced it and prepped "Ernest Goes to School". Then, Coke directed "School", while they were both prepping Slam Dunk Ernest (1995).
This is the last Ernest movie to have the character of Bobby played by Bill Byrge.
"Ernest Goes to School" was first released in theaters on June 10, 1994. But only to select theaters with two short separate runs, one in Cincinnati, Ohio from June 10-24, 1994, and one in Louisville, Kentucky from August 5-18, 1994. This was the final Ernest movie to be released theatrically. Subsequent movies were released straight to video.
Even though Jim Varney portrays an idiot, in real life he was highly intelligent.