(Fremont County, WY) – State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder recently embarked on the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) “2025 Tour of Excellence” to celebrate schools across the state that “utilize innovative strategies to improve student achievement and educator satisfaction.”
The schools were chosen through a statewide public nomination process, and Riverton Middle School (RMS) and Lander Valley High School (LVHS) were among the recipients.
“The Tour of Excellence is all about celebrating our standout teachers and schools and the exceptional work they are doing. These are the schools that aren’t afraid to take risks and try new things if it is what is best for students, and they should be recognized,” Superintendent Degenfelder shared in a recent release from the Wyoming Department of Education. “It also gives us the opportunity to learn from what those educators and administrators are doing so we can work to replicate it across the state.”
At RMS, Superintendent Degenfelder was treated to an assembly in the gym where the RMS jazz band showcased their musical talents, Principal Aziz Waheed shared what makes RMS so great, and 7th grade English teacher Lauren Urquidez led the students in a rousing spirit chant (the 7th graders won with the loudest cheers).
“When you look at the data for how well Riverton Middle School is doing, from the last six years, in English Language Arts in all three of your grades, you have nearly made a 20% increase in proficiency,” Superintendent Degenfelder commented to cheers from the crowd. “That is exceptional.” She also shared that RMS has had a 20% increase in math WYTOPP scores, among other big accomplishments.
Principal Wahid and a group of students then shared a presentation to the Superintendent, her staff, and members of the FCSD #25 school board, where they provided details on innovative RMS programs like Spartan Academy, Spiral Science, Daily Core Class Switching, FLEX classes, Science Olympiad, Hunter Safety classes, FFA and more.
Superintendent Degenfelder was then off to Lander Valley High School, where she was given a tour of the school by Principal Brad Neuendorf, members of the FCSD #1 school board, Wyoming teacher of the year Morgan Hahn, and students Finn Gebhart and Lizzie Whiting.
LVHS representatives shared the school’s many accomplishments with Degenfelder, including the high percentages of students who go on to college, the school’s successful partnership with DVR and ABLE (which has led to a significant increase in students obtaining driver’s permits), the high number of students who go on to the military or are active members, the 75% FAFSA completion rate, the number of Phoenix Award winners, the 92% extracurricular activity rate, and the many state championship titles in sports, among others.
During the tour, Superintendent Degenfelder was also able to pop into a few in-session classes, where she got to see the LVHS wind ensemble practice, pottery class in the art room (where WDE Chief of Innovations Nathan Tedjeske even got his hands a little dirty), stops in the Ag/Wood shops, the math lab and much more.
The Tour of Excellence also included Wagonwheel Elementary in Gillette, and will continue this spring with stops at Horizon Junior and Senior High School in Evanston, Cody High School, Anderson Elementary in Cheyenne, and Little Snake River School in Baggs.