"Three Big Lessons in Six Years" is both a reflection on the past and a look ahead to the future at Charlestown (C-Town) High School (Boston, Massachusetts) and other early college programs across the country. The purpose of this series is to document essential design elements, operational structures, and critical support for students to be successful. It also presents an authentic view of the troubleshooting required to overcome key initial challenges. The lessons--"Set a Vision to Guide the Future," "Build a Framework That Allows for Structure and Flexibility" (ED614782), and "Build a 'Both/And' Team" (ED614784)--represent three integral parts of C-Town Pathways' journey. Starting a new early college initiative is complicated. Drawing from the experience of high school and college leaders involved in the launch of the C-Town Pathways early college program--a partnership between Charlestown High School (CHS) and the nearby Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), supported by JFF--this report, the first of the three lesson reports, outlines strategies to bring partners together around a shared vision and non-negotiables. Starting with a strong unified vision allows for iteration and builds a foundation for future growth and sustainability.