A questionnaire with 120 variables was given to 105 high school juniors and seniors in Anthony and Canutillo, Texas, small school districts in which the majority of students are Mexican Americans, to study the perceptions of the schooling experience of this regional culture. Questions covered policy awareness; perception of school, teachers, and administrators; perception of their own teachers' education; school involvement; and general issues. Students' answers indicated that Anthony students saw their teachers and administrators in a more favorable light and felt more involved in school policy decision-making than Canutillo students. The study concluded that students were moved more by their psychological experiences with school officials than by the sociological factors (race, ethnicity, and social class) they brought to school with them. This was demonstrated on almost all figures. Other than size, students in both schools had nearly a sociological match of backgrounds. The study also concluded that students were more likely to become involved in their education if they felt they were involved with decision-making processes. Girls, more than boys, saw school in a positive light. Students with part-time jobs showed a more realistic and mature appraisal of their school. Additionally, students from both schools felt that school was not preparing them for either college or career. (CM)