This commentary focuses on the promises and challenges facing the Social and Character Development (SACD) consortium in evaluating the effectiveness of seven universal SACD programs designed to enhance student behavior and school climate under conditions of real world practice. In this commentary, we highlight that the opportunity costs associated with SACD programs necessitates establishing their unique contributions over and above alternative academically-focused interventions, and that evidence for extensive adaptations in the implementation of the SACD programs can inform the development of contextually relevant and sustainable interventions. Suggestions are made for a hybrid approach to evaluating the core questions posed by the SACD programs that allows for rigorous examination of the natural conditions under which these interventions are implemented.