James Patterson, the author of the Middle School book series, makes a cameo as a manager of the restaurant where they dine for their mom's birthday.
On Rafe's bookshelf, you can see a copy of "Treasure Hunters" written by James Patterson, who also wrote "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life."
Most of the interior school shots were filmed in the old Westlake High School in Atlanta. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton went to school there. While most of the school was empty during filming, it still was a working data-center for Fulton County Schools.
Throughout the movie, Rafe is seen wearing two bracelets. One says Rafe in silver letters, the other says Leo, his brother's name.
The actors who play Rafe and Leo also star as best friends in the episode "The Sleepover" on the show The Mick (2017).