This study is part of a larger qualitative research study being conducted by a research team in order to understand the experience of stress and the factors that maintain it within a high achieving American high school community. 30 stakeholders (including students, parents, teachers, support staff, and administration) in a high achieving high school located in the suburbs of a large northeastern city, participated in one of a series of focus group discussions of stress in their school community. Group transcripts were transcribed and coded using grounded theory. Four main themes emerged: Implicit Community Values That Do Not Align with Individual Needs, Messaging and Motivations Uphold the Community Identity and Implicit Values, Stress is A Common Experience Across Stakeholders, and There is Additional Stress Beyond the School Environment. Subthemes relating to each theme were included and the relationship and intersection between each was discussed. These themes and subthemes will be used to inform and develop interventions, unique to community and individual needs, to encourage connectedness, acceptance, and belonging within the community as a means to decrease stress and the long-term consequences that accompany it. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]