Although it has long been known in a general way that smallness is the dominating characteristic of rural schools, it has seldom been realized how small the enrollments of some of these schools are, how their smallness affects educational costs, or what can be done about it. It is the purpose of this study, so far as the data, are available, to review briefly the facts relating to these three aspects of the rural school situation. The smallness of these schools and the relationship of this smallness to the cost of education should even in normal times claim the earnest attention both of the taxpayer and the educational leaders, but in a time like the present when all social institutions need to be scrutinized. Perhaps the most helpful portion of this study is the section in which these devices are reviewed, together with some of the ways and means employed in putting them into operation. This bulletin contains the following: (1) Foreword; (2) Introduction; (3) Prevalence of extremely small schools; (4) Effect of smallness of schools on per capita costs; and (5) Ways and means suggested for eliminating very small schools. (Contains 31 tables and 2 maps.) [Best copy available has been provided.]