Rural Schools

By: National Education Association

Published: March 4, 2025

This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

Twenty percent of American students attend schools in rural areas. More than 7 million students are enrolled in rural school districts; an additional 2.5 million attend rural schools in districts that are not designated “rural” by the Census Bureau.

Federal laws such as the Secure Rural Schools program and the Rural Education Achievement Program provide critical support for many of the more than 7,700 rural school districts; these programs must be sustained.

Our nation thrives when all students, regardless of zip code, achieve and succeed. Policy makers should do more to ensure that all students in rural communities receive a well-rounded public education.

Secure Rural Schools Program

The Secure Rural Schools program (SRS program) was created to support communities in counties with National Forestland due to the lower tax base that in turn supports public services. Many rural public schools in these forested counties depended heavily on the SRS program to support public services and opportunities for their students.
These funds are vital not only for public schools and libraries but for other public services in rural communities, especially after wildfires, damaging storms, flooding, and other natural disasters.
More than 725 counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico receive support from this critical program.

Rural Education Achievement Program

The Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) was created to address the unique needs of rural public schools, students, and educators. REAP provides two grant programs: one that makes awards to rural local educational agencies that serve a small number of students, and another that awards grants to rural local educational agencies with high concentrations of low-income students (regardless of size).
To be eligible for this program the LEA must be recognized as rural through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education.

When we act together and lift our voices together in unison, we can improve the lives of children.

Secure Rural Schools Program

Rural Education Achievement Program

References

Keeping the Promise of Quality Public Education

Suggested Results

Rural Schools

Secure Rural Schools Program

Rural Education Achievement Program

References

Speak Up For Students and Public Schools

Together we're stronger. Together we're heard.

Keeping the Promise of Quality Public Education