"Relentless" is the word that staff members at Stelle Claughton Middle School in Houston, Texas use to describe how they operate: "We don't give up on our students, their families, or our own commitment. We recognize that our own attitudes, choices, and behaviors toward our students and about their learning have the greatest impact on their achieving excellence." The relentless pursuit of excellence is everywhere in the school, and it reflects Principal Delic Loyde's approach to staff members, students, and instruction. Translating percentages and targets into actual students is a strategy that Loyde regularly uses because "it makes the goals personal." Expectations for staff members could not be clearer. Loyde firmly believes that achieving excellence is about creating an environment in which each student can succeed. To put this belief into action, she shares leadership responsibilities with more than one-third of the staff. Although the school's goals are nonnegotiable, staff members, students, and the community all have a voice in how the goals will be attained. Staff members participate in interdisciplinary groups called "families," in grade-level teams, in content departments, and also on the leadership council--along with students and parents. Expectations are also clear for students. They know that reaching the proficient level is not their goal; "commended" status is. From day one, they are taught how to set S.M.A.R.T. goals--specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and time bound--in their daily advisory period.