Everyone knows that school is supposed to help students become responsible adults, but how can high schools encourage students to accept responsibility for the learning and behaviors that they will need to do so? One answer is School Counts, the work ethic certification program at Arkansas City (KS) High School. Through a partnership with Cowley County Community College and the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, the school's career center has begun a program focused on helping students learn the soft skills (e.g., dependability, effective communication, and friendliness) that are essential to workplace success. For each year that a student meets the program requirements--being on time for classes, earning a 2.5 or better GPA, attending monthly skill-building brown-bag lunch workshops, creating a portfolio of experiences, and participating in community service--the student earns a one-semester tuition scholarship to Cowley County Community College. The program initially was for juniors and seniors, but it was so successful that it has been extended to all students. Any entering freshman who enrolls and successfully completes the program can expect that four years later, he or she will be able to take any degree program at the college for free. Arkansas City is not a wealthy community. It is a farming community that also has a large General Electric plant and a meat packing facility. That the community came together to offer access to higher education for every student is a testament to the leadership in the school, the district, the board of education, the community college, and the chamber of commerce.