This case study focused on the development of an educational partnership between State U. and 2 underperforming high schools in southern California. The partnership was a collaborative effort between State U. and the schools to improve Latino student eligibility for college. Institutional theory was used to conceptualize how the interaction of culture and organizational features shaped decisions and actions made by individuals involved in the partnership formation. Our findings suggest that partnership formation depends on development of mutual respect and for administrators to monitor and address issues as they arise. Future analysis of school-university partnership should involve examining individuals' actions and decisions in the process of partnership development.