After the author was named principal of Osbourn Park Senior High School almost 10 years ago, he met with his new boss, the area associate superintendent. The author asked him his opinion of Osbourn Park. His reply was direct: "This school has never really accomplished anything. People look at it as mediocre--as a school that has never reached its potential and never had a vision to be anything but average." His reply became the single most motivating factor in the author's job. Taking a school from mediocre to great requires a leader who has a vision and is focused on that vision. The first core recommendation of "Breaking Ranks II: Strategies for Leading High School Reform" states, "The principal will provide leadership in the high school community by building and maintaining a vision, direction, and focus for student learning." This core recommendation has been the driving force for every decision and change made as the author and his staff members reformed Osbourn Park from mediocre to great. In the past nine years, Osbourn Park has implemented a reform that has encompassed the entire school: they have concentrated on students' total high school experience. Their philosophy is that healthy relationships among teachers, students, coaches, parents, and staff members transform the school.