A key challenge for 21st-century schools, families, and communities is to develop knowledgeable, responsible, and caring students who are able to work well with others from diverse backgrounds in socially and emotionally skilled ways. This case study tells the story of one middle school's journey through the implementation of a social and emotional learning (SEL) initiative. The study highlights key factors that contributed to the program's initiation, successes and challenges, lessons learned, and implications for school, district, and community leaders. Teacher acceptance, creative scheduling, ongoing evaluation, and leadership support were all important components of program implementation. Although not a panacea, the authors believe it is time for more schools, especially middle schools, to accentuate SEL and embrace a culture that emphasizes the whole child.