"These successful principals move beyond platitudes and optimistic denial and learn to face the facts of what is necessary to improve schools-then they do it. These star principals learn to work with teachers and their union rather than around them."-Charles Taylor Kerchner, Hollis P. Allen Professor Claremont Graduate University"Links Collins’s work to success in the school setting. The examples of school leaders who were able to lead effective, systemic change are powerful."-Brenda Dean, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction Hamblen County Department of Education, TNMake the leap from ordinary to stellar school leadership!"What can I do to make a difference and lift my school to excellence?" From Good Schools to Great Schools answers this question for principals and considers other critical issues in a detailed examination of school leadership.Based on the concepts from the national bestseller Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t, this guidebook identifies nine characteristics of high-performing "Level 5" school leaders through:In-depth discussions and detailed case studies of six "star" school principals A comparison of principals and corporate leaders, including qualities exclusive to school leadership Reflection questions for more effective application of leadership principles Templates, implementation tips, and additional resources Correlated with ISLLC standards, this comprehensive resource is a valuable resource for aspiring and practicing school administrators, site leaders, and supervisors.