Not much that state boards of education will undertake is harder than transforming low-performing high schools. Yet what they do is pivotal. State board members should keep 10 key principles in mind when they are working to transform low-performing high schools. These 10 key principles are presented in this article: (1) The school is the unit of change; (2) Leadership matters most; (3) Strong leadership teams are essential; (4) Effective high schools offer the coursework and experiences to prepare students for their futures; (5) Effective schools set ambitious goals for underserved and underprepared students; (6) Faculty in effective schools that serve large numbers of low-income and diverse students are well prepared and supported; (7) Effective schools create a safety net for students within their walls; (8) Effective high schools embrace a culture of continuous improvement; (9) Improving high schools join networks of schools; and (10) Students are actively, authentically involved in schools' efforts to improve.