This digest discusses issues in the selection of an appropriate focus for a focus school. Schools with a theme and schools targeted for particular students, which are both components of the focus-school genre, have long been a part of the nation's education system. A number of school districts, especially in urban areas, have established focus schools to such an extent that 44 percent of the nation's multischool districts now have such schools. Equity issues and effectiveness concerns are issues of principle that must be considered. With regard to organization, the focus may be on the curriculum, the method of instruction, or the orientation or worldview embraced by the school. Any theme or focus must possess a logical coherence and transformative power. A school that fulfills its promise as a focus school is also a restructured school. Contains 15 references. (SLD)