This study was conducted to obtain information from a rural population regarding what makes a good elementary school. A random telephone sample of 100 participants was selected with a total of 83 participants responding to the telephone interview. The interview requested participants to respond to an open-ended question as to the qualities necessary for a good elementary school grades K-7. The interview also was designed to gain information regarding demographic variables of participants in an effort to identify patterns of responses. In addition, a comparison of participants' responses to the research of Ron Edmonds was conducted. Participants identified qualities related to teachers, principals, curriculum, and environmental conditions -as properties of a good elementary school. An overwhelming number of participants indicated teachers who demonstrated care, concern, understanding, patience, and who provided learning experiences that promote success as necessary to a good school. A comparison of participants' responses to the research of Edmonds revealed little consistency between the perceptions of lay people in and the findings of researchers regarding qualities of a good elementary school. Finally, participant demographic variables were examined as they related to the characteristics of teachers, principals, curriculum, and environmental conditions. None of the demographic variables were found to be significantly related to the qualities of a good elementary school. / Ed. D.