Working with K-12 schools is a valuable way for institutions and their boards to cultivate college-ready students and equip them with a sense of purpose and direction when they arrive on campus. Key elements to preparing young students for higher education include communicating expectations clearly and consistently, reaching out to underserved groups where they live, taking steps to ensure students have the skills necessary for academic life, and training teachers. Boards of trustees should be concerned about the educational pipeline for both the success of their own institutions and the welfare of the nation. In this article, the author explores the importance of collaborating with K-12 schools to cultivate a student body that is able to handle the academic challenges of college. (Contains 2 resources and 1 online resource.)