The HOPE Foundation (HOPE) commissioned the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to conduct an exploratory study of the implementation and impact of the Courageous Leadership Academy (CLA). In this report, the authors introduce the school reform model, describe the study methodology, present findings for each of the three research questions explored, and discuss the implications for the intervention and additional research. This school reform model builds on the principles in Failure is Not an Option (FNO) Six Principles to structure and inform the thoughtful development and use of School Leadership Teams (SLT) functioning as professional learning communities (PLC) and embedded professional development to build school staff as change leaders. The FNO Six Principles are: (1) Developing core mission, vision, values, and goals; (2) Ensuring achievement for all students: Systems for intervention and prevention; (3) Collaborative teaming focused on teaching and learning; (4) Using data to guide decision making and continuous improvement; (5) Gaining active engagement from family and community; and (6) Building sustainable leadership capacity. This exploratory study suggests that implementation of the CLA is generally strong, and that there may be a causal relationship between implementation and student outcomes. It is too early in the implementation to conclude that CLA improves student outcomes, and this exploratory study was not designed to make causal inferences or to make a definitive statement on impact. Appended are: (1) "Failure Is Not an Option"[R] Critical Success Factors; (2) Sample Description; (3) Failure is Not an Option Readiness Survey Levels; (4) Mansfield ISD Growth; and (5) References. (Contains 3 exhibits, 13 tables and 10 footnotes.)