When Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School in Boston realized that their students' 2002-2003 math scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System fell below the target set by Massachusetts for adequate yearly progress, they saw not one problem (poor math achievement), but two. Because it was the fifth year the school had not hit AYP targets, Banneker would be marked under NCLB as a school in need of "Corrective Action." Because of the way AYP is measured in Massachusetts, even a math improvement campaign that dramatically raised the school's scores in one year could not reverse the application of a label implying failure. Banneker brought its math scores up to its AYP target by fall of 2004. But it was still labeled as below AYP and classified as in need of "Restructuring." Confronting restructuring sanctions as well as state review of its charter, Banneker faced high stakes. The school was only able to reverse the restructuring process and save its charter through strong leadership, positive media attention, and pressing on with its already successful math campaign. Likis discusses implications for how NCLB formulas and labels, if not regarded skeptically, can hinder school improvement.