Pleasantville Cottage School

Pleasantville Cottage School on JCCA’s Westchester Campus is one of the oldest and most respected residential treatment programs in the U.S. The first cottage-style center in the country, it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012.

Pleasantville also was home to the first psychiatric clinic in an American child care institution, and this tradition of innovative excellence has been a hallmark of the agency ever since. Pleasantville Cottage School is home to emotionally troubled boys and girls, ages 7-16 (at admission), with educational, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Our philosophy is that the child is part of a family that must be engaged and helped so that the child can safely return home permanently. We believe that most of the children in our care have strengths we can build on to resolve the problems that made it necessary for them to come into care.

Every aspect of the children’s lives is considered part of their treatment, and days are highly structured and monitored. Young people participate in daily community meetings and group therapy to help them develop the skills necessary to cope with the trauma they have experienced. Structured school days, job skills workshops, internships, a youth advisory council and community employment opportunities help ready them to lead independent and productive lives.

Admission age: 7-15.