Ferris School for Boys
The Ferris School for Boys, a national model , and a state-of-the-art juvenile secure care facility for 80 adjudicated delinquent males who are committed by Family or Superior Court. It was designed to provide improved programs and services to create a total learning environment for youth. The current facility opened in 1997.
The average length of stay for juveniles is six months, and is followed by a six-week transition program at Mowlds Cottage , a staff secure facility.
Ferris School and Mowlds Cottage are accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA), a nationally recognized organization that sets standards for adult and juvenile correctional facilities.
The youth committed to Ferris School are identified as serious and/or chronic repeat offenders who pose a risk to the public and require intensive rehabilitative programming and treatment for substance abuse, emotional problems, and violence.
Throughout the students’ stay, staff maintain contact with the family to assist in adjusting the youth’s behavior towards becoming a better citizen. Services are available to assist them in providing guidance to help their child to meet this goal.
Students are required to attend educational classes. Academic education is provided by certified teachers. Credits can be transferred to public schools and the students can earn their diploma or GED. Since 2002, 100 percent of the students who took the GED exam passed.
Students participate in interscholastic programs and a Fine Arts program that include visual and theater arts.
The Ferris School Total Learning Environment integrates all elements of rehabilitation: school program, normative behavioral programs, aggression replacement training (ART), and therapeutic clinical programs, to provide an individualized, comprehensive positive learning experience for each youth. Their day is structured from wakeup to bedtime.
Youth programming include: drug and alcohol education, conflict resolution, anger management, sex education and HIV prevention. Treatment staff have bachelor degrees in education or behavioral science to provide this programming.
Ferris School is a licensed drug and alcohol residential treatment center that provides services to the residents who need intensive drug and alcohol treatment.
Ferris School Contact Information
Mailing Address: 959 Centre Road , Wilmington , DE 19805
Telephone: 302/993-3800 | Email:
yrs.dscyf@state.de.us
Superintendent: Annette Coston-Miller
