Students in small districts are more engaged in extra curricular activities, which correlates well with achievement and engagement at school. Rural school students graduate at a much higher rate than most other high school students, thus the cost per graduate is lower than in larger schools. The federal government recently realized this cost analyses and funded a national small schools program for large urban schools in last year's appropriations budget. Rural school districts have a difficult time attracting and retaining quality teachers and administrators. For many beginning educators, small schools are often seen as training grounds before they can move to suburban schools, or before suburban schools lure them away with better pay, fewer classes to prepare for and other perks.
Rural districts have difficulty offering advanced academic or vocational courses.
Either the school doesn't have enough instructors to teach such courses, or the cost of distance learning is prohibitive to the district. Rural districts spend disproportionately on transportation. In a recent study, rural schools spend upwards of 6 to 8 percent in transporting students, while non-rural districts pay around 4 percent. Rural school districts are frequently community centers and closing or consolidating schools due to population loss or perceived cost saving measures may result in a loss of community, and then a further reduction of educational capacity. For many communities, the school library is the town library, the gym is the community gym and the auditorium is rented to a local church on Sundays.