This article examines American and Australian school principals' fundamental values regarding the purpose of schools. It also illustrates their views on school reform and the role of the principal in reform, and compares their visions of the purpose of schools--the ideal schools in the 21st century. Data reveal that the majority of American and Australian principals are progressive and liberal in their educational views, although many more American principals than Australians support the conservative view. In discussing critical issues of school reform, the American and Australian school principals offered a sharp contrast. The key word mentioned by American principals was "standards"--standards for curriculum and instruction, standards for assessment and testing, standards for student achievement, and standards for educator performance and accountability. In contrast, the Australian principals focused on the specifics and nominated funding public versus private schools, integrating information technology and computing in the teaching/learning process, and student outcomes as critical areas of school reform. In comparing American and Australian school leaders' visions for ideal schools in the 21st century, the authors discovered that a central concern of both the American and Australian principals was success for all students and all teachers. Both the American and Australian school principals wanted their ideal schools to be attractive places of joy and happiness for adults and children, with adequate funding, diversity, creativity, modern technology, connections with social services, and full parent and community involvement. (Contains 3 tables.)