Average
#193 of 301 schools in WY
Tongue River Elementary
Elementary School · Sheridan County School District #1
P.O. Box 849, Ranchester, WY 82839
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ranchester
#2 of 2
public schools
Wyoming elementary schools
#108 of 159
In district
#4 of 6
Sheridan County School District #1
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Tongue River Elementary
Tongue River Elementary is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Ranchester, Wyoming. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 236 pupils with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, ensuring each child receives individual attention. The dedicated faculty consists of 18 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to provide a nurturing learning environment.
Academically, Tongue River Elementary ranks in the 64th percentile among Wyoming's schools, placing it at number 110 out of 302 schools statewide. MySchoolScout rates the school with an overall score of 6.2/10 and an academic score of 8.1/10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 62% of students are proficient or above, while in math, that percentage rises to 69%.
These scores indicate areas where the school can continue to focus on student development and growth. Tongue River Elementary is situated in a rural community with vast open spaces and scenic landscapes. The setting offers a unique backdrop for learning and exploration, fostering a strong sense of connection between students and their natural environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Tongue River Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Tongue River Elementary — Students at Tongue River Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from WY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Tongue River Elementary Compares
See how Tongue River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
P.O. Box 849, Ranchester, WY 82839
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tongue River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Big Horn Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Big Horn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Henry A. Coffeen Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Sheridan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadowlark Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Sheridan), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ranchester, see our Ranchester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Slack Elementary Ranchester | 0.0 mi | — |
| Tongue River Middle School Ranchester | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Tongue River High School Dayton | 6.0 mi | 5.2 |
| The Bridge School Dayton | 6.0 mi | — |
| Sheridan High School Sheridan | 10.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Sagebrush Elementary Sheridan | 11.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Highland Park Elementary Sheridan | 11.4 mi | 6.2 |
| MARTIN LUTHER GRAMMAR SCHOOL Sheridan | 11.4 mi | — |
| The Wright Place Sheridan | 12.0 mi | — |
| Sheridan Junior High School Sheridan | 12.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Sheridan | 12.9 mi | 6.8 |
| HOLY NAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sheridan | 12.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Henry A. Coffeen Elementary Sheridan | 13.4 mi | 8.1 |
| John C. Schiffer Collaborative School Sheridan | 14.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Woodland Park Elementary Sheridan | 15.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Big Horn Middle School Big Horn | 17.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Big Horn High School Big Horn | 17.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Big Horn Elementary Big Horn | 17.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Wyola 7-8 Wyola | 19.2 mi | — |
| Wyola Elementary Wyola | 19.2 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 82839 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,138
Median Home Value
$374,200
Median Rent
$765/mo
Population
1,421
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
83.4%
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tongue River Elementary has a median household income of $58,138. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,200, with a median rent of $765/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Goins Elementary Cheyenne, WY | 5.9 |
| Hobbs Elementary Cheyenne, WY | 5.9 |
| Lusk Elementary Lusk, WY | 5.9 |
| Newcastle Elementary 3-5 Newcastle, WY | 6.0 |
| South Side Elementary Worland, WY | 6.0 |
| Ashgrove Elementary Riverton, WY | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tongue River Elementary
What grades does Tongue River Elementary serve?
Tongue River Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Tongue River Elementary?
Tongue River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 236 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tongue River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Tongue River Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tongue River Elementary rank in WY?
Tongue River Elementary is ranked #193 out of 301 schools in WY.
What is Tongue River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Tongue River Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Tongue River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tongue River Elementary has 68.7% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tongue River Elementary a charter school?
No, Tongue River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tongue River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Tongue River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tongue River Elementary?
45.3% of students at Tongue River Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (92/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 236
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Sheridan County
- Phone
- (307) 655-2206
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sheridan County School District #1- District Enrollment
- 1,153
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,112
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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