A study focusing on the development and maintenance of peer groups was undertaken at South High School in the San Joaquin Valley (California). The central purpose of the study was to determine if a school culture existed at this school. Ethnographic and field observation methods were employed to examine the phenomenon of the "cowboys," a group of approximately 40 agricultural students who are identified (by themselves and by counselors, teachers and other students) as a collective. The influence of parental and peer pressure in the making of cowboys (and cowgirls) was examined. The degree to which school culture supports or discourages the existence of the cowboys as a group was also explored. Distinguishing characteristics and activities of the group are described. Literature on adolescent peer groups and school subcultures is related to the findings of this study. It is suggested that future study of small school groups and their ingroup behavior would be more productive than the continuing focus upon school and adolescent subcultures and contracultures. (GC)