The Windber Area School District (Pennsylvania) has combatted "bigness" and impersonality by developing schools-within-a-school, a concept which has particular application for large clusters of grade strata. Although there are several ways to group students, in Windber every two grades (7 through 12) constitute a unit which has its own principal and guidance counselor. Each principal is responsible for his own unit and also has duties toward the overall operation of the school system (maintenance, transportation operation, curriculum, scheduling, federal programs, public relations, etc.). The school plant consists of separate wings for each unit, and common areas accessible for all. Regularly-scheduled meetings between the Board of Education and the various administrative, faculty, and student groups of the school allow for a free flow of communication. A system-wide student council representing all elementary and secondary schools in the district meets with the Superintendent of Schools monthly. A needs assessment procedure is employed to define desired changes in and additions to the school program. A Performance Based Student Achievement Program allows students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to obtain entry-level employment not requiring advanced schooling; it includes reading, mathematics, economics, and environmental studies. (CM)