This report describes the first 3 years of three Excellent Beginnings projects from 1991 to 1994 funded by the Plan for Social Excellence, a private nonprofit foundation that creates or supports innovative pilot projects in education. Programs that are flexible and responsible to needs of individuals and communities, rather than system-wide reforms, are funded. The foundation disseminated a request for proposals to educators and agencies in the fall of 1990. Out of 14 applicants, 3 were chosen for grants. Applications were expected to have the following five components: parent participation, innovative curriculum and classroom strategies, participation of high school mentors and college interns, collaboration between elementary school and a local college or university, and relationships with social service agencies. The report examines each of the three project schools, focusing on human interactions, educational and behavioral growth, and the culture of each site. At each site, the educational environment was being changed in terms of each of the above-cited components. All sites received renewed funding for a second 3-year phase. The Plan for Social Excellence is planning to replicate the Excellent Beginnings project at additional sites, which will require the original sites to be more self-conscious in their activities. Ample evidence shows the projects positively impacted students' enthusiasm for learning and academic achievement. Testimony by teachers, mentors, and parents demonstrates enhanced child and parent attitudes toward schooling and of parent involvement with the schools. The schools also became centers for community or neighborhood life. (TM)