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Rock River Elementary School

Rock River Elementary School, nominated by Place Network of Teton Science Schools, is an elementary/middle school in Rock River, Wyoming, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily rural area.

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Location Rock River, Wyoming

Governance Public District School

Grades Elementary, Middle

Students 31

Locale Rural

Principal Stacie Anfinson

Demographics

Percentage of students*

—

English Learners

33%

Free/Reduced Lunch

26%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black —

American Indian/Alaska Native —

Asian —

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —

Hispanic or Latino 13%

White 81%

2+ Races —

Why Rock River Elementary School was nominated

Rock River Elementary School in Albany County, Wyoming, is committed to preparing students for college and career success through a rigorous, student-centered curriculum. The school’s place-based education model connects learning to the local community, offering hands-on, project-based experiences that enhance both educational outcomes and community well-being. Through collaborations with local organizations and universities, students engage in meaningful projects, such as addressing vehicle-wildlife collisions, fostering real-world change while developing essential skills. This approach promotes equity, critical thinking, and community involvement, ensuring that all students thrive academically and personally.

Student experience design

At the end of the school year last year, our staff revisited our mission and vision statements to reflect the student experience that we have created at Rock River. The following statements represent what we are doing here very well. MISSION STATEMENT Rock River School provides an education that challenges students to achieve academic, artistic, personal, career, and civic excellence. VISION STATEMENT Rock River students will achieve lifelong success through educational experiences that empower them to make meaningful contributions to society. * We are very learner-centered and allow for student voice and choice in many aspects of their day * We have created a climate and culture of acceptance and responsibility at our school that allows for students to own their behaviors, make things right, and be better next time. They lead and learn how to advocate for themselves and others.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Career Exploration
3-4 years

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles
3-4 years

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics
5+ years

Multi-age Classrooms
5+ years

Students Develop Projects
3-4 years

All Practices

Student Advisories

AI For Learning Materials

AI For Teacher Productivity

AI-assisted Tutoring

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Family And Community Support Services

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

Higher Education Partnerships

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Educators Have Industry Experience

Mental Health Services

No Tracked Classes

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

High Quality Instructional Materials

Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

SEL Integration School-wide

Service Learning

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating

Improve academic achievement

Improve school culture

Increase student agency

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.