Stay-in-School is a Canadian government initiative launched in the early 1990's encouraging young Canadians to build a solid foundation for the future by finishing high school and by acquiring the skills needed for the labor force of tomorrow. Three fundamental principles guided the initiative: (1) compassion, caring, and commitment are essential to change; (2) change is possible and likely when there is significant "buy-in" by participants; and (3) collective action can be expressed through the interdependency of many partners. The initiative used a strategy to reduce Canada's dropout rate through collective responsibility and action, and through the empowerment of every person. The strategy consisted of three components: (1) creating public awareness of the problem of dropouts; (2) mobilizing people by encouraging them to develop and share ideas, approaches, and solutions; and (3) providing moral and financial resources for implementing local interventions. Effects of the Stay-in-School initiative include a noticeable increase in student retention, improved academic achievement and life skills of participants, and increased public awareness of the dropout issue. Several recommendations are made regarding other large-scale student retention activities.