American discourse is often accused of neglecting the interests and values of rural citizens, and this is particularly true when it comes to education. Rural students and the schools they attend receive little attention in either policy or academia. This report attempts to shed badly needed light on the challenges, and point to policies and practices that can effectively address the distinctive needs of rural schools. The author begins by describing the diversity and poverty of rural students. The author then discusses the academic hurdles they face, among them the difficulty in finding qualified teachers, and looks at how policies, like school choice, designed for densely populated areas may not work in non-metropolitan settings. The report ends with questions for rural school leaders to consider in their efforts to make sure their youth can compete with the best of their urban and suburban peers. By raising awareness of the problems faced by rural schools, the hope is to focus the attention of policymakers and communities on the solutions.