HISTORY________________________________________

The Jefferson School story begins with a vision; a vision that children from our state in need of residential treatment and special education should not have to go outside of the state of Maryland; and that these children should stay close to their families and their communities.

There were a few visionaries who believed that Sheppard Pratt could be a part of the solution in providing such a program for the young people in the Central and Western regions of the state.

In 1988, the effort began to locate a property that would fulfill that vision, and a beautiful 210-acre campus was purchased in Jefferson, Maryland.

This state-of-the-art facility was designed room-by-room and hallway-by-hallway in keeping with Moses Sheppard’s vision that courteous treatment and comfort of all patients was a high priority and that all were to have privacy, sunlight and fresh air.

Sheppard Pratt broke ground in the summer of 1995 and the construction of the school began. The builder was Morgan Keller, Inc. In September 1996, the school opened its doors to 16 day students with the first 18 staff members. In March 1997, our first students were admitted to the residential treatment center. On April 15, 1997, the Dedication Ceremony was held for the entire campus which included a day school and six beautiful residential homes for 8 or 9 student/residents.

In the 21st century, it is likely that we will see breakthroughs in the treatment of schizophrenia, major depression, and developmental disorders in children. As treatment and prevention strategies become more effective and complex, Sheppard Pratt will be there, providing the latest and the best. This "state-of-the-art" care for our patients carries on the great vision of Moses Sheppard when he admonished us to "lead the way."