A comparative study was undertaken of the self perceptions of disadvantaged children with those of advantaged children in grades four to eight. Each child's self concept, ideal concepts, and reflected values were measured. The result from an analysis of variance design, indicated more positive self images on all measures for disadvantaged children over advantaged children as a whole, for disadvantaged boys over advantaged boys, for advantaged girls over disadvantaged girls, and grade four over grade eight in both groups. The major conclusion was: disadvantaged children do not necessarily reflect negative self concepts or lower self esteem than advantaged children. Since disadvantaged children have contact only with other disadvantaged children in elementary schools, they are insulated from acquiring negative attitudes from those who are not advantaged. The challenge for education, then, is to help the disadvantaged child maintain his positive self image as he enters high school. Further research needs are discussed. (Author/LS)