The genesis of the Ocean Beach, California, Community School is described in this volume by three of the participants in its formation. A grassroots effort, the school was started amidst a certain degree of controversy and resistance from already established community organizations. The authors describe the processes they went through to gather broader support for the idea, to assess community needs, to form and work with a community education advisory council, to put together an educational program, and to evaluate the community school. One chapter, written by the community school director, describes the political and interpersonal problems that had to be resolved to get the program running smoothly. (DS)