A developmental research investigation concerned with the establishment or reorganization of a very small, individualized secondary school in an isolated community was described in these guidelines. Fifty-five principles in 7 areas were incorporated into an attitudinal instrument and mailed to 4 populations: Western States Small School Project Administrators; postmasters in isolated communities; rural legislators; and State Department of Education Directors of secondary, rural, and Indian education. Results were statistically analyzed. Four general hypotheses were answered and it was recommended that: (1) an isolated community adopt these guidelines, (2) a community with a small rural secondary school reorganize its school on the basis of these guidelines, (3) these guidelines be used to improve rural education throughout the United States, (4) use of the guidelines will insure reasonable cost, (5) evaluation be done by a university department, and (6) abstracts of this investigation be circulated throughout rural America. (Author/PS)