Nine public schools in New Jersey, eight of which are in urban areas, are separately described as samples of schools with a high level of student achievement in the basic skills, and with demographic characteristics that are similar to those of schools with serious achievement problems. Eight elementary schools and one high school are included in this report. Each narrative report, written by an outside observer, describes the general school environment and focuses on elements characteristic of the school that are thought to be related to the school's success: the principal, his leadership characteristics and relations with teachers and students; teacher characteristics; educational programs and teaching approaches, especially in reading and the basic skills; staff support; extracurricular activities; and parent and community involvement in school activities. Summary profiles provided for each school present information on total and minority enrollment, average daily attendance rate, expense budget, and proportion of students who met minimum basic skills standards in 1981. Also included are lists of the staff of each school. (MJL)