Small but Mighty: The Power of Rural Schools
Written by Kaylee Leone | October 28th, 2025During the years I spent living and working in Chicago, I was often reminded of how differently people view small-town life from the outside. When colleagues learned I was from a rural community in upstate New York, they were sometimes surprised, even skeptical, about what rural schools could offer. Many imagined fewer opportunities or outdated resources, not realizing how deeply innovative and community-driven these districts really are. Those conversations stayed with me because they highlighted just how misunderstood small communities can be. In reality, rural schools like ours in Mount Morris prove every day that being small doesn’t mean being limited. It means being personal, connected, and full of possibility.
Across the country, small districts are showing that close-knit communities, strong relationships, and creative partnerships can lead to big opportunities for students. A 2025 Gallup study found that more than 80 percent of rural Americans feel supported and proud of their communities— higher than almost anywhere else in the nation. That sense of belonging is reflected in our schools, which are often the beating hearts of their towns. And while rural districts face real challenges, they also educate more than one in five public school students nationwide. Rural education isn’t a niche topic; it’s a cornerstone of American life. It shapes how communities grow, how young people learn to lead, and how values like perseverance, generosity, and civic pride are passed from one generation to the next. To understand the strength of our nation’s schools, you have to understand the strength of its rural ones.
Educators and researchers often describe three core qualities that make rural schools so effective: personalization, community, and collaboration. In smaller settings, teachers truly know their students. They see not only their test scores but their personalities, their interests, and their potential. That depth of understanding builds trust and confidence, which helps students thrive. Rural schools also reflect the communities they serve. They are gathering places where neighbors meet, generations overlap, and families come together to celebrate milestones. In towns like ours, school events are community events. Finally, rural districts are remarkably resourceful. They have a long tradition of working together through regional partnerships such as New York’s Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, to share programs and services. By collaborating with others, rural schools stretch resources and create opportunities that would be difficult to sustain alone. Together, these qualities— personal attention, community connection, and cooperative innovation— define what makes rural education special.
Here in New York State, rural districts are putting those strengths to work while navigating the realities of enrollment shifts, budget constraints, and infrastructure needs. A study of rural superintendents found that while many small districts face financial pressure under the state’s property tax cap, collaboration through BOCES and shared services helps protect academic quality and expand student options. In other words, when rural districts work together, they don’t just survive; they thrive.
That spirit is alive and well in Mount Morris. Our district embodies the “small but mighty” philosophy in everything we do. Because of our size, we can focus on what truly matters: relationships. Our teachers and staff know each student by name and story. Families are familiar faces, not just entries on a contact list. That closeness creates a learning environment where every child is seen, supported, and set up to succeed.
At the same time, Mount Morris Central School District is part of something larger through our partnership with Genesee Valley BOCES. As a component district, our students gain access to programs and opportunities that reach far beyond what a small district could offer alone. Genesee Valley BOCES serves more than 24,000 students across 22 districts, providing everything from career and technical education to special education services and professional development for educators. And because there’s a BOCES campus right here in Mount Morris, those opportunities are local and accessible. Students can explore fields like automotive technology, health sciences, and skilled trades while remaining rooted in their home community.
At the heart of our regional partnership, Genesee Valley BOCES delivers outcomes that last well beyond graduation. Their programs don’t just prepare students to complete high school; they equip them with marketable skills, industry-recognized credentials, and confidence to step directly into meaningful careers. According to the 2022–2023 GV BOCES Report Card, the majority of students who graduate from both their home district and a BOCES program go on to use those skills in the workforce, college, or technical training programs within a year of graduation. Many earn certifications in fields like healthcare, automotive technology, construction, and digital media that translate immediately into employment opportunities, often right here in Western New York. Employers consistently report that GV BOCES graduates enter the workforce ready to contribute from day one— skilled, professional, and proud of the hands-on education that helped shape their careers. These are not just successful students; they are the next generation of local leaders, tradespeople, and innovators strengthening our regional economy.
This partnership extends well beyond classrooms. It reflects the rural mindset of making the most of what we have by working together. Through shared expertise, resources, and facilities, we’re able to give students a well-rounded education while maintaining the tight-knit, personal culture that defines Mount Morris. It truly is the best of both worlds— a local school with regional reach.
Beyond academics, Mount Morris Central continues to serve as a cornerstone of community life. From free summer meal programs for children to open gym and weight-room access for residents, our school remains a space that belongs to everyone. That’s what makes rural schools so powerful. They aren’t just institutions; they are gathering places that reflect who we are and what we value.
As a board member, I believe the path forward for rural education lies in celebrating what makes us unique while building partnerships that strengthen our future. We don’t have to choose between being small and being strong. We can be both. When we combine the personal connection of Mount Morris with the expanded opportunities of Genesee Valley BOCES, we prove that our size is not a weakness but a superpower.
Our students shouldn’t have to ask, “What can my small school offer?” They should be able to say, “Look at everything I can do here.” That’s the vision we’re building together— one that honors our roots, embraces our partnerships, and prepares our students for boundless futures.
Sources:
Gallup. Community Cohesion Could Unlock Rural Leadership. August 2025. news.gallup.com/poll/697217/community-cohesion-unlock-rural-leadership.aspx
Education Week. Rural Schools Are Fighting for Their Existence. What the Future Could Look Like. July 29, 2024. edweek.org/leadership/rural-schools-are-fighting-for-their-existence
PDK International. 2022 Poll Results: The 54th Annual PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools.2022. pdkpoll.org/2022-pdk-poll-results
Bradley, R. & Palmer, T. W. New York State Rural School Superintendents’ Perceptions of the Property Tax Cap Legislation of 2011. SAGE Graduate School, Albany NY, 2017. library3.sage.edu/archive/thesis/ED_2017palmer.pdf
Bedrick, J. Rustic Renaissance: Education Choice in Rural America. The Heritage Foundation, Jan. 12 2023. heritage.org/education/report/rustic-renaissance-education-choice-rural-america
National Rural Education Association. Why Rural Matters 2025. Oct. 13, 2025. nrea.net/nrea-releases-wrm-2025
Rural School and Community Trust. Why Rural Matters. Ongoing editions. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_School_and_Community_Trust
Genesee Valley BOCES. Home. gvboces.org
Genesee Valley BOCES. Mount Morris Campus. gvboces.org/page/mount-morris-campus
Genesee Valley BOCES. Component Districts. gvboces.org/page/component-districts
Genesee Valley BOCES. 2022–2023 Report Card. March 27, 2024. core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4532/GVB/4129690/2022_2023_GV_BOCES_Report_Card_FINAL_updated_3_27_24.pdf