This publication is part of the Leading by Exemplar project, a multi-year study conducted by Bellwether Education Partners. In this project, every aspect of the Head Start exemplars' program design and practice was closely examined in an effort to understand each program's "secret sauce." Leading by Exemplar has three goals: (1) to identify Head Start programs that are producing powerful results for children; (2) elevate them as proof points of what is possible for the field; and (3) inform policy and other efforts to improve early learning outcomes. This report synthesizes the practices and characteristics that are common across the Head Start exemplars. The five exemplary programs profiled are: (1) Acelero Learning; (2) Community Action Program of Tulsa (CAP Tulsa); (3) Educare Miami-Dade; (4) Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS); and (5) Utah Community Action (UCA). The authors identify the factors that contribute to their success across three areas: (1) policies; (2) program practices; and (3) enabling conditions. The authors also identify challenges common across all exemplar programs, which also affect the field more broadly. Finally, this work highlights lessons and implications that other Head Start and early childhood providers, leaders overseeing state pre-K and other public early childhood programs, philanthropic funders, and federal policymakers can draw on to inform efforts to improve early learning outcomes and advance equity for low-income children.