In this case study, a district-wide focus on the development of civic responsibility is seen as an important component in the success of higher performing middle schools. Salient features of best practice were gathered from teacher and administrator interviews and documentary evidence in 10 higher performing, yet "beating the odds" schools, and six average performing schools. Findings suggest that consistently higher academic performance is related to ways schools foster partnerships with populations in the community; actively promote trusting and respectful relationships among students, teachers, administrators, and community members; and frame and use diversity and adversity as strengths.