In April 2009, Superintendent Arlene Ackerman announced her reform plan for the School District of Philadelphia (the District)--"Imagine 2014". Among other major initiatives, "Imagine 2014" laid the groundwork for Philadelphia's Renaissance Schools Initiative. The Renaissance Initiative, set to enter its second year in 2011-12, is an effort to dramatically change student outcomes in the District's lowest performing schools. This document summarizes key findings from the research of Research for Action (RFA) conducted between March 2010 and January 2011 on start up and early implementation of the initiative. Recommendations are presented on school enrollment and school climate, school advisory councils, and school leadership and staffing. (Contains 1 figure.) [For the full report, see ED519847.]