Two Sheridan County schools have earned a place in the inaugural cohort of the Wyoming Patriot Schools Program, a new state‑wide effort to highlight schools that go above and beyond to foster civic engagement among students.
State leadership announces the first honorees
Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder announced Wednesday that Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester and Sheridan High School were selected as part of the twelve schools statewide that met the criteria for the honor.
What the Patriot Schools Program entails
The program was developed as a cornerstone of Superintendent Degenfelder’s civics and patriotism initiative. It was crafted in collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Education Citizenship Stakeholder Cabinet and the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Task Force. Schools that receive the designation are recognized for exemplary efforts to teach students about citizenship, constitutional principles, and the responsibilities of American families.
Recognition is awarded each year on Veterans’ Day, underscoring the program’s emphasis on honoring those who have defended the nation’s freedoms. Participating schools must reapply annually, with the application window opening each August and closing in September.
Local impact and next steps
For Sheridan County families, the designation offers a tangible sign that their children’s schools are prioritizing the values of faith, family, and liberty that the community holds dear. Both schools plan to integrate additional service projects, student‑led voter‑registration drives, and partnerships with local veterans’ organizations throughout the coming school year.
Superintendent Degenfelder encouraged other districts to consider applying, noting that the program provides a framework for schools to embed patriotic education into daily curricula without sacrificing academic rigor.
How schools can join
Educators interested in the Patriot Schools Program can visit the Wyoming Department of Education’s website, where a guidebook and application portal are available. The guidebook outlines required evidence of civic‑engagement activities, community partnerships, and measurable outcomes that demonstrate a school’s commitment to nurturing responsible, liberty‑loving citizens.
By spotlighting schools that champion these principles, the state hopes to inspire a new generation of informed voters, responsible parents, and engaged community members who will carry forward the nation’s founding ideals.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
