School Overview

Mrs. Bethany Koenig, Principal 

Mr. Joshua Thatcher, Assistant Principal

Mr. Andrew Czekner, Assistant Principal

Student Day: 7:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Welcome to Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, a school community where we are dedicated to fostering a love for learning and growth in every one of our just over 1000 students across grades six through eight. We strive to be a place where students not only achieve academic excellence but also truly want to come to school each day, eager to explore, connect, and thrive.

At WCMS, our philosophy is rooted in providing a transitional and exploratory experience that guides students from their elementary years toward high school. Beyond the essential core subjects of Math, English, Social Studies, and Science, we offer a selection of exploratory courses designed to ignite passions and broaden horizons. Students are offered Family and Consumer Science, Technology Education, STEAM, Health, Art, Music, Physical Education, and are introduced to both German and Spanish. Our goal is to develop the whole child, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and character to grow their interests and join our many extracurricular activities. 

The heart of Whitehall-Coplay Middle School beats with a commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for every student. School safety is our top priority, and we actively work to build a culture of respect and kindness. We believe in celebrating success, and our School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports Program (SWPBS) consistently recognizes and rewards appropriate behavior and effort. 

Academic excellence is an important part of our mission. Our dedicated teams of teachers work collaboratively to plan coordinated instruction, providing both academic challenge and necessary support. We understand that every student learns differently, and our comprehensive support services are designed to meet individual needs. Our Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework extends from elementary school into our middle grades, offering targeted academic support to ensure every student can succeed. Additionally, our Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a resource for students experiencing school-related challenges—whether academic, behavioral, social, or emotional. Students, parents, or staff members can easily refer individuals to SAP by contacting the administration, counseling department, or a SAP team member. We also offer several counseling groups to provide further assistance, ensuring no student feels alone in their journey.

We truly believe that a strong partnership between home and school is key to student success. We encourage open communication and invite you to reach out to your child's teachers, our counseling department, or the administrative office with any questions or concerns. We are here, ready to support your child's growth and celebrate their achievements.

MARKING SYSTEM

Middle school pupils receive a report card at the end of each nine-week period that indicates their achievements and attitudes for each of their courses. Following is a key to the marking system: A - Mastery of Subject B - Above Average C - Average D - Minimum Required Work F - Consistent Failure. Grades are based on overall performance, effort, and participation.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Mrs. Lori Galucy - Counselor, grade 6

Ms. Allison Slate - Counselor, grade 7

Mrs. Nicole Layton - Counselor, grade 8

Mrs. Laurie Ganey-Pash - School Psychologist

The Middle School counselors work with individuals and groups of students to provide opportunities for educational, personal, social, and vocational development. To meet the specific needs of students, consultations are conducted with teachers, parents, administrators, and special service personnel. Counselors also place new students, maintain records, coordinate special programs and services, and conduct group guidance classes. These group guidance classes are held on a scheduled basis within the classroom setting. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Conflict resolution 2. Developing friendships 3. Promoting tolerance of others 4. Career awareness 5. Developing study skills 6. Social and emotional development 7. Relevance of education to future plans While individual counseling is provided both in crisis situations and on an ongoing basis for students in need, counselors also are involved in various group counseling situations.

ACTIVITIES

Student Council, band, and chorus are offered for pupils. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs throughout the year. Seventh and eighth-grade students are eligible to participate in middle school football, girls’ field hockey, girls’ and boys’ volleyball, girls’ softball, junior high wrestling, girls’ and boys’ basketball, coed cross country, coed soccer as well as the high school band. The middle school enjoys the support of our very active Parent Teacher Organization PLUS, which sponsors numerous assemblies, Accelerated Reader rewards, SWPBS rewards, and field trips. Parents are encouraged to participate in school activities.