Hello, Wildcats!
At Devon Middle School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to experience success, develop a sense of belonging, and engage meaningfully in their learning. As part of our commitment to supporting middle level learners, we offer the Wildcat Den, a variation to the learning environment designed to provide additional support for students who may benefit from a more structured and personalized approach to learning.
The Wildcat Den was created to help students strengthen their academic engagement, improve attendance, build confidence, and enhance their overall well-being. It provides a supportive environment where students can receive support while continuing to work toward their academic goals. Our focus is always on helping students develop the skills and strategies they need to be successful in their regular learning environment.
Students participating in the Wildcat Den receive support from a dedicated team that includes school administration, a lead teacher, Ms. Mitchell, and literacy and numeracy specialist teachers who have built curricular content that is aligned with the Holistic Curriculum. Together, the team works closely with students, families, and classroom teachers to create a plan that addresses each student’s unique strengths and needs.
The Wildcat Den may provide:
- A smaller, structured learning environment
- Support with attendance, engagement, and school routines
- Individualized goal setting and progress monitoring
- Access to targeted literacy and numeracy support
- Opportunities to build self-regulation, organization, and independent learning skills
- A gradual pathway for students transitioning back to greater participation in their regular classes when appropriate
Family partnership is a vital part of the process. When a student is being considered for a Wildcat Den placement, families participate in an intake meeting where supports, expectations, commitments, goals, and next steps are discussed collaboratively. We believe that strong home-school partnerships are essential in helping students achieve success.
The Wildcat Den reflects our belief that student success looks different for every learner. By providing additional layers of support when needed, we can help students build confidence, strengthen connections to school, and develop the skills necessary to thrive both academically and socially.
If you have questions about the Wildcat Den or the range of supports available at Devon Middle School, please contact a member of our Educational Support Services Team or school administration.
Together, we can ensure that every Wildcat has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
Amanda Piron – DMS Principal