Over the past number of years, there has been a great amount of concentrated study, with an equal amount of literature, devoted to the small school in the United States. This paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of small rural schools via a literature review. Although primarily concerned with identifying the small school's alleged strengths and weaknesses, the paper also identifies practices which have been developed to build on the strengths in an effort to overcome the weaknesses and indicate target problems which administrators may address in an effort to make the small school increasingly effective without a strong infusion of additional funds. The strengths are classified in terms of three areas: organizational concerns, sociocultural considerations, and classroom-management practices. The weaknesses are grouped under five broad areas: finance and facilities; student characteristics and capabilities; curricular deficiencies; professional staff (including teachers, administrators, and counselors); and sociocultural aspects. The effective practices are discussed in terms of the use of technology, experiences beyond the classroom, and development of community leadership. (NQ)