Educational strategies that small rural high schools can use to address important developmental needs of rural youth were explored, focusing on the importance of educational environments outside traditional high school classrooms, (i.e., work-experience programs, student exchange programs, and travel-study). Of the 92 Alaskan village high schools with enrollments under 100 which were surveyed, 46 responded. Rural youth developmental needs addressed both self-development oriented and "other oriented" educational goals. Approaches available, with percentages of responding schools having used them, included work-study at local sites, 28%; school-sponsored business, 23%; travel to other district high schools, 35%; travel outside school district--28% within Alaska and 19% outside the state; Rural Student Vocational Program, 40%; student exchange, 7%; traveling teachers, 14%. A planning framework is presented, suggesting the kinds of experiences most valuable in particular years of high school and ways to integrate programs into a systematic educational approach, along with potential benefits and costs. Programs are grouped into awareness, exploration, and transition programs. An appendix lists organizations that can assist rural schools in arranging experiences outside their district and curriculum/program materials for rural high schools. (RS)