There is no denying that combining two schools, or even opening a new school, is loaded with challenges and frustrations as well as high expectations. Principal Tracy Shafer saw a rural school consolidation as an opportunity to use professional development to create a community focused on student learning, meeting the need for high-quality schools. Wes-Del Elementary, a rural school in east-central Indiana with approximately 355 students, was built to consolidate Gaston Elementary (grades K-2) and Harrison Elementary (grades 3-5). The newly joined staff and a focus on basic elements of professional development proved to be the ingredients for success for both adult and student learners. This article describes how the fundamentals of collaboration and learning boosted student results in Wes-Del Elementary.