About Us

The Stetson Home, as Stetson School was originally known, was founded as an orphanage for boys in 1899. In the 1960's, Stetson began to provide treatment for emotionally disturbed boys, often from broken homes, who had suffered some form of abuse or neglect. During this time, education legislation was passed, and Stetson became a Chapter 766 program approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education. 
Today, Stetson School is a nationally accredited, licensed, Chapter 766-approved private non-profit staff-secure residential special education school and milieu treatment program for male youth aged 9-21 and with cognitive capacities ranging from a full score IQ of 55 and up. Our residential treatment component operates 24 hours each day, 365 days per year, and the education component provides 216 days of school per academic year. Stetson School is located on 187 acre campus located In Barre, Massachusetts. 

Time Line

1899
Orphanage

Stetson Home was founded as an orphanage for boys in 1899, by Henry Augustus Pevear of Lynn, Massachusetts. 

1960's
Home For Boys

Stetson began treatment for boys with emotionally disturbance, often from broken homes, who had suffered some form of abuse or neglect.

1974
Ch. 766 Residential Special Education School

Special education legislation was passed, and Stetson became a Chapter 766 program approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

1994
Specialized Sexual Abuser Treatment Program 

As our services evolved, Stetson earned a reputation of expertise in the juvenile sex offender field. By 1994, Stetson had become a specialized program devoted specifically to treating children and youth with sexual behavior problems.

2010
Specialized Behavior Treatment Program

As our services expanded to encompass high risk youth, who were not at risk for violating other people's boundaries in a sexual manner, an additional treatment track was added for youth who have engaged in conduct disordered or other significant behavioral problems. 

2012
Competence, Education, & Treatment Focused Community

Today we are a competence and education focused community, supporting children and families form healthy and secure family connections, overcome adversity and traumatic experiences, build social competency, and develop emotional and behavioral self-regulation skills. Valuing that each child and family has distinctive strengths and needs, we partner with them to discover what it will take for the child to live in his home or in the community. 

Snap Shot

  • Located on 187 acres in Barre, Massachusetts
  • COA Accredited
  •  40-Week Core Foundation Program
  • Attachment-Oriented, Trauma-Informed, and Developmentally Sensitive Treatment 
  • Specialized Family and Case Work Services
  • Licensed Special Education School
  • Health and Wellness Services
  • Psychiatry
  • Rehabilitation, Vocational, and Transitional Services
  • School Psychology
  • Functional Behavioral Planning
  • Therapeutic Recreation