The state of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education manages a grant program to provide additional resources for schools to redesign the school day/year. The Expanded Learning Time (ELT) program began in 2006/07 with 10 schools and increased to 18 schools in 2007/08. The Ferrway School staff received funding in the 2007/2008 funding cycle and a continuation grant for the 2008/2009 school year.

The broad goals of the program are to:

• provide more instructional opportunities in mathematics, literacy, science and other core subjects to support student achievement;
• integrate enrichment opportunities into student learning; and
• provide educators with increased opportunities to plan and to participate in professional development.