School Address: 4111 South St Marianna FL 32448
School District: Dozier/Okeec
County: Jackson County
Select Grade:
The Dozier School for Boys, officially known as the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, was a reform school located in Marianna, Florida. It operated from 1900 to 2011 and was intended to be a facility where young boys were sent for rehabilitation after committing various offenses. However, the school gained notoriety for its history of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of the boys who lived there. Throughout its history, numerous investigations uncovered evidence of physical and sexual abuse, as well as harsh living conditions. Former students, known as the “White House Boys,” came forward with accounts of brutal beatings and other forms of mistreatment, which led to state investigations and apologies from Florida officials. In 2012, a forensic investigation was conducted at the site, revealing unmarked graves and remains of boys who had died under mysterious circumstances. Subsequent excavations and research by the University of South Florida identified dozens of graves and remains, sparking further outrage and demands for justice. The findings shone a spotlight on the institution’s dark past, leading to calls for memorials and a reckoning with the history of the Dozier School. The site has since become a symbol of the failures of the juvenile justice system and the need for reforms to protect vulnerable youth.