Two middle schools, one junior high school, and two senior high schools participated in a study conducted from 1977-81. The study project included both development and research activities. The goal of development activities was for each school to start or refine administration-organization arrangements and improvement strategies. Research activities had four main objectives, all related to the development of the school's improvement capability: (1) maintain a satisfactory level of student achievement in selected areas from year to year or raise an unsatisfactory level; (2) determine the extent to which each school could implement a research method and three comprehensive improvement stategies; (3) relate changes occurring in student outcomes from year to year to three areas--planned improvements made annually by each school staff, planned changes not directed specifically toward selected student outcomes, and unanticipated events; and (4) generate knowledge regarding usable and effective improvement strategies and school structures and processes that facilitate implementation of improvement strategies. In this report of the five schools participating in the research project, in-depth profiles are presented of each school, with discussion and analysis of implementation of improvement programs and outcomes. (JD)