There are many myths about award-winning schools. Most attribute outstanding school success to money or luck--generous state dollars, corporate sponsorships, that one-in-a-million principal who could run a small country in his spare time. Sure, these things help, but the 20 schools that walked away with this year's Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards are not waiting around for luck to make a difference in the classroom. Schools of Distinction winners come from every type of community--the richest to the poorest. Their teachers are veterans, newbies, and in between, but they all share a passion for reaching kids. In this article, the author discusses seven surprising things about award-winning schools: (1) They spend a day each week teaching teachers; (2) They teach math all day; (3) They harken back to the one-room schoolhouse; (4) They get kids (and parents) to come to school on Saturday; (5) They look to Hollywood for inspiration; (6) They let kids snorkel and climb active volcanoes; and (7) They have kids and teachers learn a new language.