Values have always been a respected and distinct role in defining and developing an educational institution. However, today's challenges have forced many institutions to reassess their working philosophy and to reexamine their collective beliefs. Values once discovered and acted on help institutions in conducting its business. With commonly held beliefs by constituent groups and individuals, a values-based institution more accurately aligns those defining principles with its actions. From agreed-upon values a culture develops, and institutions with strong cultures achieve higher results because everyone keeps their focus both on what to do and how to do it. Institutions rely on these compelling statements of beliefs to chart new choices in building a future capacity for change.