This paper presents a template for creating a school environment in which college is a reasonable expectation for all students. Drawing from the research literature and lessons learned from more than 4 years of partnership work between a public research university and a cluster of urban K-12 schools, the paper outlines a set of conditions that are consistent with the creation of a "college culture." Some examples are offered about how these conditions play out at the middle school and high school levels, and the paper concludes with reflections on the process of cultural change. In 1979, the University of California at Los Angeles and the nonprofit public interest organization The Achievement Council formed a partnership with 24 local schools (2 high schools, 4 middle schools, and 18 elementary schools) to create a culture in which students would expect to go to college. The project has concentrated on the middle school and high school levels by brining in an additional counseling position to give each school a person who assumes responsibility for creating the college culture. Nine principles have been identified as essential for such a culture: (1) college talk; (2) clear expectations; (3) information and resources; (4) comprehensive counseling model; (5) testing and curriculum; (6) faculty involvement; (7) family involvement; (8) college partnerships; and (9) articulation. (Contains 60 references.) (SLD)