The Work, Achievement, and Values Education (WAVE) program, developed by the 70001 Training and Employment Institute, was launched in 52 schools across the country at the start of the 1989-90 school year. Thirteen of these schools were demonstration sites, receiving intensive support from 70001 for WAVE teacher training and program assistance for first-year implementation. The WAVE is a carefully designed, multicomponent program that addresses the nationally documented needs of young people in grades 9 through 12 whose circumstances dim their prospects for academic and personal success. The components of the WAVE include a 4-year sequential curriculum designed to promote positive peer group experiences and encourage student participation and involvement; teacher training and development focusing on equipping teachers to work with the innovative and interactive curriculum and multicomponent program; and a motivational component, the WAVE Career Association, which is designed to provide students with opportunities to apply key concepts from the curriculum and to develop leadership skills. This report on first-year implementation of the program at the 13 demonstration sites comprises the following sections: (1) WAVE program environments; (2) findings about WAVE students, teachers, curriculum, and program activities; (3) conclusions; (4) recommendations; and (5) summaries of site visits. Two exhibits, summary descriptions of site visits, and site visit questionnaires, are appended. (AF)