Transforming an entire district from one that is satisfied with being academically good enough into one keenly focused on improved student performance requires overhaul that reaches from end to end, from building to building, from bottom to top. Leaders in Birdville Independent School District in Fort Worth, Texas, learned that applying five fundamental principles of professional learning can jump-start the transformation. The five-year journey of this midsized suburban school district serving more than 22,000 students offers significant implications for any district preparing for a big turn ahead. This article discusses the five principles of effective professional development applied by Birdville: (1) Allocate time and resources; (2) Include all leaders; (3) Collaborate in teams; (4) Engage everyone in meaningful learning and work; and (5) Use data to make decisions.