As urban and rural development patterns shift and educational demands evolve in the new era, the integrated development of urban and rural compulsory education has become increasingly crucial. This issue not only impacts people’s well-being but also serves as a strategic initiative influencing social progress and national development. At the individual level, it addresses pressing concerns about educational access and mitigates rising anxiety over disparities in education. At the societal level, it helps bridge the urban-rural education gap by promoting equitable and high-quality development. Nationally, it aligns with population mobility trends and supports the rural revitalization strategy. Despite notable progress in integrating urban and rural education, challenges remain, particularly in the areas of uneven resource distribution and an underappreciation of rural education’s unique value. Additional issues include inadequacies in the supporting service system and the absence of a comprehensive educational ecosystem. This paper proposes three key reform approaches to address these challenges: (1) shift away from the mindset of prioritizing urban over rural education, fostering an equitable, mutually beneficial relationship that enables resource sharing and fluidity; (2) develop “new rural education” models tailored to local conditions, innovating to meet rural-specific educational needs; and (3) strengthen rural education governance structures, improve collaborative efforts, and ensure policy implementation and continuity. Through these systematic reforms, deeper integration of urban and rural compulsory education can be achieved, ultimately fostering educational equity and social justice.