This report contends that the preliminary negative evaluation of the Rough Rock Demonstration School (RRDS) was due more to the investigators' culture shock than the actual situation. RRDS, an experimental school, is unusual in that is administered mainly by Navajos. Thus the appearance of this school, which offers a bilingual and bicultural educational program, reflects the attitudes and customs of its native administration. The problems of cross-cultural studies and evaluations are discussed along with specific instances of faulty assessments of the school. The problems encountered in finding a representative sampling of parents and students, translation, imposing Anglo middle class values on the Navajo way of life, payment of poor people for services, community relations, nepotism, teaching English as a second language, the deleterious effects of traditional dormitory life on Navajos, and parental involvement are presented. (KG)