The paper describes the major needs of gifted rural students and suggests ways parents can use nonschool as well as school resources to help meet those needs. Students need guidance to deal with their differentness, to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and to make plans for the future. Parents are advised to gather information and create a profile of their child outlining areas of need as well as strengths. Students need broader opportunities for academics, non-academics (such as fine arts and visual arts), and personal contacts for age-group friendships and career role models. Suggestions are offered for making optimum use of resources from within the community and beyond. (CL)