The Goal Based Education Program of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory has been engaged since 1981 in profiling secondary schools and/or secondary programs practicing goal based education. Profiles are presented of 17 of these schools representing different geographical areas and diverse student populations. The profiles describe the characteristics of the school and student body and the major elements of the school program. An examination of the profiles reveals several strong themes the schools have in common: (1) caring for students is a major value; (2) academic excellence is a school priority; (3) goals and outcomes drive curriculum planning and instruction; (4) time is used in a flexible way; (5) unity of mission and purpose is built by participatory planning and decision making; and (6) planning is a continuous process. Other commonalities, such as stress on positive discipline, use of educational technology to support continuous progress approaches, and an emphasis on local development of system and curriculum support materials also emerged. (JD)