This study represents one principal's effort to develop a school climate of teaching and learning to improve academic achievement for students at Intermediate School 158, Bronx, New York. In this program the staff was encouraged to create a diversity of learning environments related to the learning styles of pre-adolescent inner-city youth. Individual teaching styles were also considered. Teachers were given responsibility for selecting instructional methods. The study outlines the problems of the project, sets forth goals and objectives, describes the implementation process, and reports on the outcome of this one-year experimental project. Many of these outcomes resulted in positive learning experiences for students. A detailed analysis of negative outcomes is provided along with suggestions for improvement of the program. (Author/AM)