This interim progress report provides a look at Turnaround Arts schools in their first year, including: (1) a summary of the evaluation design and research questions; (2) a preliminary description of strategies used to introduce the arts in Turnaround Arts schools; and (3) a summary of school reform indicators and student achievement data at baseline in Turnaround Arts schools. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates a positive impact of arts engagement on students, especially in the early grades. This same research describes both short- and long-term positive influences on students, especially for disadvantaged youth. In this first year of existence, there were many ways in which the Turnaround Arts schools saw positive change as a result of being a part of this initiative. Schools became fundamentally more attractive places for students, with positive perceptions of teachers and students and increased external visibility for innovation using the arts. Students and staff were provided with rich resources and support to use the arts as a part of their broader school improvement strategy. At the same time, several common themes emerged across school sites, which reveal both shared successes and areas for future focus. [Turnaround Arts is supported and funded by a coalition of partners and funders (National Endowment for the Arts, the Ford Foundation, the Herb Alpert Foundation, Crayola, NAMM Foundation, the Aspen Institute and Booz Allen Hamilton) without whom this program would not be possible.]