Devereux  Advanced Behavioral Health Massachusetts & Rhode Island

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Special Education for Day Students and Residential Students

The Devereux School is a private, specialized day school for students with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. We offer a challenging academic program, while simultaneously focusing on therapeutic issues. Students are provided with individualized assessment and planning in a supportive environment to identify their strengths and needs. Our goal is to help students achieve their full and unique potential with strategies designed to help them successfully return to their local schools.

Profile

Grade levels: Grades 1 through 12 and pre-vocational training
Staffing ratio: 9:1:9 (nine students, one special education teacher, one teacher’s aide per classroom)
Months open: 12
Days Open: 216

Programming Options:

  • 12-month programming
  • Extended day programs
  • Therapeutic recreation program
  • 60 to 90 day academic, behavioral and diagnostic assessment

Population Served: Males and females, ages 6 to 21

Students present with issues including:

  • Disruptive behaviors
  • Mood/anxiety disorders
  • Complex trauma
  • Abuse-reactive behaviors
  • Autism spectrum disorder

Fully approved and accredited:

The Devereux School is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). We also are members of MAAPS – the Massachusetts Association of Approved 766 Private Schools.

Using the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, which promotes the reduction of challenging behaviors through the encouragement of positive behaviors, the Devereux School provides students with an opportunity to overcome barriers to learning, discover their potential and realize their goals. Our low student-to-staff ratio creates a nurturing environment in which students can focus on developing academic and social skills.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, an individual plan is designed for each student. Our curriculum is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and academic requirements are coordinated through a collaborative working relationship with referring school districts in Massachusetts and other states.

Teachers and staff utilize creative, innovative approaches to engage students and promote learning.

  • Low student-to-staff ratios further individualize education and treatment.
  • Self-contained classrooms for specified students reduce the need for transitioning between classes.
  • Adjustments made in the general classroom curriculum allow each student to actively participate at their own functioning level and meet their individual goals.
  • With a strengths-based approach, our dedicated, experienced staff concentrates on each student.
  • Clinicians/case managers assist with the design and implementation of supports necessary for students to succeed.
  • Individual, group and family therapy are provided (family therapy for group home/residential students only).

Additional Programs:

  • Student mentoring
  • Vocational training
  • Summer activities
  • Animal care
  • School Wide Social Emotional Learning Curriculum – Rethink Ed

CARES School (Center for Autism Resources and Education Services)
270 Airport Road, Fitchburg, MA
(978) 516-0789

Devereux CARES School provides state-of-the-art elementary and secondary day school programming for children ages 5 – 22 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. CARES School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  

School Lunch Program

Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island participates in the National School Lunch Program. We offer healthy meals every school day for students enrolled in our residential and day school programs and groups homes. These meals are provided at no cost, as long as students meet eligibility criteria while enrolled at Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Title IX Policy and Procedures

What is Title IX?Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Sex discrimination includes sex-based harassment, discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation related to complaints of sex discrimination. Sex-based harassment is unwelcome conduct, which includes both sexual harassment including, but not limited to, sexual assault, other forms of sexual violence and other sexual misconduct, and gender-based harassment. This applies to academic, educational, athletic and residential programs.

What is Different? The new Title IX regulation holds schools accountable for failure to respond equitably and promptly to sexual misconduct incidents and ensures a more reliable adjudication process that is fair to all students. The Final Regulations specify how recipients (defined as schools, LEAs, postsecondary institutions) of federal financial assistance must respond to allegations of sexual harassment consistent with Title IX’s prohibition against sex discrimination. They further specify how recipients (defined as schools, LEAs, postsecondary institutions) of federal financial assistance must respond to allegations of sexual harassment consistent with Title IX’s prohibition against sex discrimination.

Policy and Procedure Documents