Small school: its innovative leaders

The article presents the providers of education in small schools in the regions of the Russian Federation where research with feedback and management consulting were conducted. The creators of educational systems in rural areas contributed to the preservation and development of small schools. Prominent within the child-adult community, talented, graced with peasant-like industriousness, these enlighteners are the successors of the pedagogical approach of S. A. Rachinsky (1833-1902), S. P. Masonova (1915-1974), the champions of its qualitative development.