This study explores Colorado Springs School District 11 Mitchell High School's third year as a Priority Improvement Plan school targeted in the accountability era. It examines the potential of capstones as the "curriculum innovation" within Mitchell's Innovation School Plan as a mechanism to reduce the harm done in the "reform" era. Data for this study were collected via observations of meetings at the school, district, and state level, interviews with capstone experts and Mitchell faculty and staff, along with reviews of current capstones in practice. The primary aim of this community based research project is to assist the Mitchell High School Administration Team as they move forward with their Innovation Plan. This is done by helping them establish capstones as a viable "curriculum innovation" by providing evidence of capstones' ability to support the specific needs of Mitchell's low-income, mainly minority, high-English-Language Learner students. This study also provides evidence of capstone's ability to effectively improve student achievement, student growth and postsecondary readiness in an effort to reverse its low School Performance Framework ranking.