About our Schools and Students:
 

Dubois stakeholders are meeting the unique educational challenges that come with living in a small, isolated community. Geographic location and small population encourage innovative methods of bringing the world to students as we strive to help all learners reach their PEAK (Potential, Excellence, Attitude, Knowledge).  Nearly all teachers in Fremont County School District #2 work as a department-of-one, yet engage students in numerous authentic learning tasks to increase student background knowledge and address standards in a real-world context. The scope of student courses and activities, combined with the support of the school board, administration, staff and community, is noteworthy.
 

Instructors wear many hats as they prepare students in a variety of classes and insure the success of after school events. Not only do Dubois educators strive to provide global experiences, teachers go the extra mile to model lifelong learning.  Among the certified staff 61 percent hold post baccalaureate degrees and seven percent have attained National Board Certification.  Several also hone skills and make connections as part of the Greater Yellowstone American History Project, University of Wyoming STEM Energy Consortium, Common Core initiatives, and membership on state committees.
 

Technology plays an important role in our system, with laptop computers available for students in grades K-7 and iPads issued to those in grades 8 – 12.  Teachers readily integrate resources as part of everyday lessons. Additionally, 20 percent of our high schoolers are enrolled in online courses as part of their daily schedule.  The high school publications class recently launched a virtual newspaper at www.dhsrampages.com. Technology also allows Dubois teachers to bring the world to students through the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC). Some of the CILC field trips have included a visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia by second graders, a dissection lab for science students and an interactive data analysis exercise in a math classroom.
Many among Dubois’ unique population are willing to share their knowledge and experiences, such as the resident who told children of her opportunity to observe polar bears during a National Geographic Tour in Churchill, Manitoba. Local veterans are invited to the school each November as guests of the eighth grade.  Each student hosts and interviews a veteran, with two of this year’s honorees veterans of World War II.  Experts from outside the Dubois area share their knowledge as well, as demonstrated in recent lessons provided by Transplantation Science and individual mentoring of art students during the Susan K. Black Foundation workshops.
 

The natural surroundings of northwest Wyoming provide excellent outdoor labs for students.  A simulated archaeology dig during the study of ancient civilizations, water testing through the Dubois-Crowheart Conservation District, and visits to ranches through Ag in the Classroom are among the many hands-on lessons.  The conservation district also assisted our district in securing a grant for a school greenhouse, and children in the after-school program cared for a section of a Community Garden to aid the local Food Bank. A partnership with the BLM and a local ranch allows all Dubois students access to an outdoor classroom known as Gilligan’s Island. All grades are able to study biotic and abiotic variables and learn more about GPS systems in the area that boasts an oxbow, a variety of flora and fauna, and the Wind River. 
 

Nearly every year since 1989, Dubois middle school students have studied geology, ecology, history and societal issues in Yellowstone National Park as part of the Expedition Yellowstone program.  Having the world’s largest intact ecosystem for a classroom is an unforgettable experience. Our fourth through sixth grade students worked with Trout Unlimited for three years during which time fish were tagged and tracked.  Map reading and graphing became a big part of this partnership.
 

While there are challenges to educating children in Dubois, our small enrollment does have certain advantages.  A K-12 Sidewalk Art project and a band comprised of musicians in grades 7-12 are just a couple of examples of mentoring within our learning community. Our evidence indicates that meeting educational needs through combined experiences has a positive impact on student achievement. The District recently added a Greenhouse Project to our many educational offerings.  Improved academic achievement is one goal in our Strategic Plan, however as we meet that goal we strive to fulfill our mission of providing innovative educational leadership and progressive educational programs that develop the unique potential of each individual.​