The Foundation for Excellent Schools (FES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of American public education through programs designed to increase opportunities and improve the academic performance of all students by bringing together educators, students, parents, and the local business community. Since 1987, the FES and its predecessor organizations (notably the National College Counseling Project) have worked with 110 schools to create low-budget, grassroots, self-sustaining programs. This report from the FES national conference in 1997 highlights key presentations and summarizes key topics grouped into the following areas: (1) "Creating an Educational Community"; (2) "Parents as Partners"; (3) "Winning the Literacy Challenge"; (4) "The Power of Partnering with Colleges"; and (5) "An FES Priority: Transforming High-Risk into High-Promise." Other featured topics included fundraising tips, leadership development, and ways to make the transition from school to work. Each section presents some examples of FES school programs and the ways participants exchanged ideas and found ways to adapt innovations from one school to another. The report concludes with excerpts from the keynote address by Albert R. Dowden, of Volvo Group North America, Inc., who asked educators to face the challenges of educating young people for the critical thinking they will need in the work world. (SLD)