The Wyoming Department of Education has named John C. Schiffer Collaborative School and Henry A. Coffeen Elementary School, both in Sheridan County School District #2, as the 2023 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School Award winners. The honor recognizes positive advancements and outstanding achievements in academic performance by qualifying schools who receive federal Title I funding.
To qualify for the award, schools must have a measured poverty rate that exceeds the state average, but have also improved their academic performance as measured by the Wyoming Accountability in Education Act. The schools awarded have made notable efforts to improve performance by offering focused and innovative professional development for staff, encouraging strong community involvement, or focusing on academic success through individualized student programs.
To earn this honor, John C. Schiffer Collaborative School showed exceptional student performance and academic growth by moving from Meeting Expectations in 2021–22 to Exceeding Expectations in 2022–23, and Henry A. Coffeen Elementary School closed the achievement gap between identified student groups by moving from Partially Meeting Expectations in 2021–22 to Exceeding Expectations in 2022–23.
National ESEA Distinguished Schools will be officially honored at a special ceremony during the 2024 National ESEA Conference in Portland, Oregon in February, 2024.
For more information, contact Leslie Koch, Title I Director / National ESEA Distinguished Schools State Liaison, at 307-777-6216 or les.koch1@wyo.gov.