As anyone would readily agree, no child should be trapped in a persistently failing school. When the author was appointed New Mexico's secretary of education in 2011, she committed to never settle for failure and never stop pursuing equity and opportunity for all students. Many of New Mexico's students live in poverty or are students of color and attending low-performing schools, but demographics must not be destiny. This article looks at the New Mexico's recipe for school improvement, including supports for principals and teachers, accountability, and school choice.