The story is about two high school students , Troy Bolton , who is captain of his school 's basketball team , and Gabriella Montez , a shy new student who is good in mathematics and science . With a plot described by the author and numerous critics as a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet , High School Musical is a story about two high school juniors from rival cliques â `` Troy Bolton ( Zac Efron ) , captain of the basketball team , and Gabriella Montez ( Vanessa Hudgens ) , a beautiful and shy transfer student who excels in math and science .