To determine the core curriculum and the specific curriculum needs of small high schools today, questionnaires were mailed to a sample of 475 public high schools with enrollments of less than 500 students. Principals were asked to indicate which of 105 courses listed on the questionnaire were in their school's curriculum and to rate the need for courses not offered. Responses were received from 319 principals in 46 states for a return rate of 67.2 percent. Findings suggest that the core curriculum in most small high schools would allow for the 4 years of English, 3 years each of mathematics and science, and one-half year of computer literacy recommended by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The recommended 3 years of social studies might be difficult to obtain, and the 2 years of foreign language recommended for college bound students would definitely be difficult to obtain in small high schools. Principals indicated a need for courses in word processing, data processing, computer programming, remedial reading, speech, computer literacy, computer mathematics, first aid and safety, geography, creative writing, and consumer economics. Of special interest, foreign language, advanced placement, and agriculture courses were not ranked among the most needed courses. (JHZ)