Drawing from his experience with the High Schools That Work initiative, the author offers educators a path forward by urging them to pursue bold goals and outlining bold actions for achieving those goals. His vision is clear: replace the traditional model of secondary education with one that engages students in a rigorous curriculum that combines a solid academic core with intellectually demanding career pathway courses. The notion that nearly all students can achieve at high levels is borne out by numerous examples of high schools-including those with traditionally underperforming student populations-that have used key strategies to help all students realize their potential. The book explains the root causes of the current shortcomings in high school education and then specifies critical components of successful transformation: shared leadership; powerful assignments-especially in math, literacy, and career/technical education-planned and executed by academic and career pathway teachers working together; strengthened connections between middle school and high school; a redesigned senior year; and comprehensive counseling and advisory programs. Provocative and persuasive in its sense of urgency, this volume offers proven and practical solutions to finally make high schools a rich and rewarding experience for all students, whatever their future college and career goals may be. This book is a co-publication of ASCD and SREB. It includes access to nine downloadable appendixes.