This study identified patterns among small schools in rural communities across a seven-state area. Perceptions of high school seniors, counselors, and graduates were gathered about their rural schools in districts with grade 7 to 12 enrollments of less than 500. Factual information about programs and local schools was obtained from school administrators. Ninety-six school districts in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming participated. Data were compiled by source, e.g. high school student, graduate, superintendent, and by area of inquiry, e.g., school, community, and presented in 11 table sets with data broken down in 137 separate tables by factors such as states, enrollment size, degree of isolation. Comparisons also were made by enrollment size. Schools in the study were found to be more alike than different and characteristics were consistent across the seven states. Among discovered patterns were: staff lack of advanced degrees; low number of years of tenure; lower base teacher salaries and higher district per pupil cost in smaller districts; high percentage of students/graduates planning/pursuing post-secondary education; student satisfaction with academic/career preparation and community life; and relationships between enrollment size and percent of students who take selected courses. Tables and survey forms are included. (LFL)