Ralph Witters Elementary

The school known as Ralph Witters Elementary was first built as Springview School in 1952. At that time, Ralph Witters was the principal of another Thermopolis elementary building, Hill School. He had begun as principal of Hill School in 1946 and would continue in this role for more than 30 years, retiring in 1978.

By 1994, growing student enrollment moved the fourth and fifth-grade students to Lucerne Intermediate School, just north of Thermopolis. Construction on another addition to Ralph Witters began in 2006 and was completed for the 2007-08 school year. With the newly expanded building, the fourth and fifth graders returned to the building, bringing Ralph Witters back to its original purpose as a school for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

239 students
9.3:1 student/teacher ratio

Principal's Message

  • Catelyn
    Deromedi

    Thermopolis has been my home since 2011. It has been the place where my teaching career began and will be a place where my administrative career will continue. I taught fifth grade for two years and then taught sixth-grade math for four years at Thermopolis Middle School. During that time I began working on my administrative degree through Chadron State College. After being a sixth-grade teacher, I had a phenomenal one-year mentorship as the 5-12 Dean of Students at Thermopolis Middle School and Hot Springs County High School. My journey has since led me to become the principal of Ralph Witters Elementary School. The staff, students, and parents at our school are exceptional. Everyone involved puts students first. We are very proud of our students and their accomplishments and we will continue to set goals with high expectations for student learning. My husband Brandon and I have a preschool son. Someday we look forward to our own son learning from the outstanding educators at Hot Springs County School District. At Ralph Witters Elementary we believe it is everyone’s responsibility to empower children with the creative, intellectual, and decision-making skills necessary for them to become academically, socially, physically, and emotionally successful and responsible. With that in mind, parents are invited to be active participants in our school. Whether you are a classroom volunteer, a member of the PTO, you participate in special events, or you are a member of our site council, you are encouraged to be involved! Research on schools clearly demonstrates that parent participation in their child’s school coincides with a greater likelihood of academic success for their child. My door is always open for questions you may have and I look forward to working with all of you! Continue reading →

Staff