Two Sheridan County schools have earned a place in the inaugural cohort of the Wyoming Patriot Schools Program, a new state‑wide effort to recognize schools that go above and beyond in fostering civic engagement. The Wyoming Department of Education announced the selections on Wednesday, naming Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester and Sheridan High School as two of the 12 schools statewide to receive the designation.
According to Sheridan Media, the program was created as part of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder’s civics and patriotism initiative. It was developed in collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Education Citizenship Stakeholder Cabinet and the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Task Force. The goal is to highlight schools that actively promote civic participation, respect for the Constitution, and an understanding of American heritage among students.
Both Sheridan High and Tongue River Middle met the criteria set by the Department of Education, which include demonstrated programs that encourage student involvement in community service, voter education, and historical awareness. The schools will be formally recognized on Veterans’ Day, a date chosen to underscore the program’s emphasis on honoring those who have served the nation.
Participation in the Wyoming Patriot Schools Program is not a one‑time award. Schools must reapply each year to retain their status. Applications are scheduled to open from August through September, giving interested districts a window to submit documentation of their civic‑engagement activities. The Department of Education has made a guidebook available on its website for schools that wish to begin preparing their applications.
Local educators see the designation as a validation of existing efforts to integrate civics into daily instruction. By joining the inaugural cohort, Sheridan High and Tongue River Middle join a select group of Wyoming schools that will serve as models for how classrooms can nurture informed, responsible citizens—a priority that aligns with many families’ desire for education that reinforces traditional values and constitutional principles.
What’s next? Applications for the 2025‑2026 Wyoming Patriot Schools cohort will be accepted from August to September. Schools that earn the designation will be honored on Veterans’ Day later in the year. Interested districts can visit the Wyoming Patriot Schools website to download the guidebook and begin the application process.
Sources: sheridanmedia.com
