Abstract
All municipalities in the Czech Republic are obliged to guarantee access to basic education for children eligible for compulsory schooling. To meet this task, most municipalities establish a primary school whose operational and investment costs they cover. Running a school can be very demanding for rural municipalities. The article presents the results of a questionnaire survey which involved founders (mayors) the so-called small schools with composite classes, situated mainly in small rural municipalities. Based on these results examines the main stereotypes associated with the notion of small rural schools. A hypothetical balance between what the municipality must invest and what benefits the school brings is sought.