The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Arapahoe Elementary
Arapahoe Elementary sits on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Fremont County, Wyoming, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade as part of Fremont County School District #38. The school stands in a small, unincorporated census-designated place that functions as a cultural and administrative hub for the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes rather than a conventional town. The enrollment is almost entirely Native American, and nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. This is a school deeply rooted in a specific tribal community, and that context shapes everything about how it operates and who it serves.
The setting is rural and auto-dependent. Arapahoe has no traditional downtown or walkable commercial district. Homes, tribal government offices, mission institutions, and the school itself are dispersed across a low-density landscape. The Wind River Hotel and Casino, publicly reported as the largest employer and economic center for the Northern Arapaho Tribe, anchors the local economy. Tribal government services and St. Stephen's Mission are also institutional anchors. The nearest larger city is Riverton, a short drive to the northeast, where some residents likely commute for work and services. Publicly reported data indicates Arapahoe's population has been declining modestly in recent years, with household incomes rising but poverty remaining persistent. No major new housing developments or commercial construction projects were identified.
The school appears to function as a de facto community center. Wikipedia references the school as the geographic center of Arapahoe, and civic life in the area centers on tribal institutions, the mission church, and the casino rather than municipal amenities. No public library or formal park system was identified in available sources. Wind River Tribal College, in nearby Ethete, offers associate degrees with an emphasis on Native American studies, which could be relevant for families thinking about longer educational pathways.
On state assessments through the WY-TOPP, proficiency rates are low across nearly every grade and subject. In math, the share of students reaching proficiency ranges from near zero in several grades to modest levels in the upper elementary and middle grades. ELA results follow a similar pattern, with the strongest showing in eighth grade and weaker results in the lower grades. Science proficiency is also low in the two grades tested. Taken together, the school's overall proficiency sits below the midpoint among districts in Fremont County. These results are stated as fact, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what instructional supports and interventions are in place, particularly in the early grades where the pattern is most pronounced.
Some context is missing. IEP and English learner data were not available. Discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance figures were also absent from the provided data, so those dimensions of school climate and student support cannot be characterized here. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate applies. Because the grade band ends at eighth grade, families will need to plan for where students continue afterward, likely transitioning to a high school elsewhere in the region.
The district has recently invested in a new track and field facility for students in grades five through twelve, which publicly reported district materials describe as a meaningful capital improvement for a small rural system. Athletic offerings span youth, middle school, and high school levels. For families in this community, the school represents more than academics. It is a gathering point on sovereign tribal land, serving a population with deep cultural roots and real economic challenges. Understanding the academic picture here means engaging directly with the school about what is being done to strengthen proficiency and what supports are available.
See more original research from School Decision →