When North Laurel High School, London, Kentucky, opened in Fall 1992, students and teachers entered a new facility and a new era of commitment to excellence for all students. In Spring 1993, North Laurel joined the Southern Regional Education Board's High Schools That Work initiative. The new school replaced the general track and raised graduation requirements. The guidance department developed a guide focusing on career majors. As students increasingly selected vocational majors, ties with the area vocational center were strengthened. Block scheduling was implemented. Many changes originated in the school's decision-making council whose members--two parents and three teachers--are elected by the community to one-year terms; the principal also serves on the council. These factors contributed to North Laurel's success: teacher participation, staff development, new ways of teaching and learning, authentic assessment, block scheduling, guidance, special programs to help students meet higher standards, closer ties with local employers, and use of available data. Performance of students on Kentucky reading, mathematics, and science exams improved steadily; the percentage of students taking the ACT increased from 47 to 61 percent, and the average score increased; and students were more apt to remain in school and attend regularly when they were focused and challenged. (YLB)