Effective solutions to rural poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa have been elusive and despite heightened global efforts, indigence has remained endemic on the continent. Inadequate rural education has been a key driver of the problem, which in turn is explained by a number of factors including inappropriate policies, weak institutions, and cultural factors. On the West African Atlantic Coast, Sierra Leone is well documented for high rates of illiteracy and poverty. This paper has analyzed the characteristics and key predictors of the country’s rural educational situation based on its National Census 2004 and Household Surveys 2003/04 and 2011, with the aim of advising policy. The most crucial predictors found are the creation of nonfarm jobs and location of households near socio-economic services.