Perri Applegate from the University of Oklahoma’s K-20 Center investigated high and low-achieving rural high schools. Dr. Applegate found that the top factors that impacted student achievement in urban schools -test scores, student-teacher ratio and a rigorous curriculum – did not determine student success in rural schools. In high performing rural schools, the determining factors was the community’s involvement and the school’s commitment to student success. Teachers in rural schools also are more flexible in their teaching technique.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619174221.htm