When individuals or groups join together to work toward a common goal, a partnership is formed. Successfully reaching the goal requires mutual cooperation and a sharing of responsibilities. While carried out in different ways, the principles used to satisfy personal and business partnerships are much the same. Parents are the child's first and most important teacher. When a child enters school, that child's parents and the school become partners in what both hope will be a profitable, long-term enterprise. Years of research show that the more families are actively involved in the education of their children, the more successful the child will be in school and in life. In the parent-school partnership, there is little opportunity for choice in the selection of partners. Partners can, however, choose to think and act in ways that will promote a positive partnership. A productive parent-school partnership will pay big dividends for its primary beneficiary--the child. Partnership essentials provided and described in this publication are: (1) Good Communication; (2) Honesty, Accountability and Trust; (3) Respect; (4) Mutual Participation; (5) Acknowledgment of Each Partner's Contributions; and (6) Second Chances and Fresh Starts. Partnership Challenges to be overcome by team members discussed are: (1) Different Expectations, Perspectives, and Opinions; (2) Unequal Knowledge or Power; (3) Misunderstanding of Roles and Responsibilities; and (4) Conflict. Through mutual cooperation and the sharing of responsibilities, the parent-school partnership can accomplish its ultimate goal of enabling children to succeed in learning and in life.