This book answers the question of whether or not the American prep school tradition has constructive use to all American schools. This is done by identifying useful lessons in the text's three sections: community, standards, and personalization. Part 1--"Community" includes the following chapters: (1) The Vulnerability of Educational Communities; (2) The Family School; (3) Governing Independent Communities; and (4) Diversity and Community. Part 2--"Standards" includes the following chapters: (5) Student Incentives and the College Board System; (6) The Collision of Standards and Meritocracy; and (7) The Challenge of Average College-Bound Students. Part 3--"Personalization" includes the following chapters: (8) The Power of Personal Attention and (9) The Role of the Good Teacher. (Contains a conclusion, an appendix, notes and an index.) (AA)