Educational needs in the remote rural areas of America are profound. The sparsity of population causes transportation problems and hinders reorganization. As a result, the present system permits, and in some states, encourages independent school districts to continue operating when their programs are inferior even when compared to minimum standards of the North Central Accrediting Agency. This report presents the background and plans for developing a rural area model school for grades 9 through 12. A planning grant for the model school was funded under Title III, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, in January 1966. The educational specifications for the model school are presented as a separate chapter of the report. (TL)