For 115 years, Milton Hershey School has focused on empowering student success through a whole child approach to education. At the core of the school’s robust curriculum is opportunity and strong foundational values. In fact, when Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine, decided to create a home and school for children in search of opportunity, they knew that strong character would be as important to long-term student success as education.
Education experts at MHS understand that each student’s journey to success is unique, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds facing complex life challenges. Like our students, Mr. Hershey experienced poverty throughout his youth. And like Mr. Hershey, our students are determined not to let their past circumstances define them.
As a recognized leader in education, MHS establishes high standards for guiding its students toward success. Students have access to top-tier classes and facilities, guidance from caring staff, a strong character development program, and high-quality medical, dental, and health services with all costs covered.
Discover how MHS crafted a curriculum enriched with supportive programs designed to align students’ interests and talents, preparing them for successful careers.
Preparing students for career success
MHS educators encourage students to find their career passions inside and outside the classroom. From early learning career exposure opportunities to college course offerings in high school, every student can find their path to success. During the 2022-23 school year, 215 students completed authentic work experiences by taking part in internships, co-ops, or pre-apprenticeships to get on-the-job experience in a career field of their interest.
Courtesy of Milton Hershey School
Elementary School (Pre-K through Grade 4)
In elementary school, students begin discovering their passions. Guest speakers, lessons in money management skills, career-related books, and introductions to entrepreneurship inspire students to dream big. At a young age, students discover future career paths and understand what it takes to become successful in that field.
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
Middle schoolers expand on their career exploration through field trips, BizTown, job shadowing, alumni speakers, and the economics of success where students ask questions and become engaged with a career or skill. Through introductory Career and Technical Education classes, students grow their understanding of careers and participate in clubs that align with their interests.
High School (Grades 9-12)
At the beginning of high school, students choose a Career and Technical Education career area of focus and participate in hands-on training opportunities. Through career expositions, seminars, and college fairs, students better understand how they can hone their passions into a career and what it takes to succeed. Students graduate prepared for life because of career aptitude tests, college visits, and more. Seniors leave MHS with a defined skill to carry them forward into college, career, or military service.
Hiring thought leaders with servant hearts
From Enrollment Day to graduation and beyond, MHS students have the unwavering support of more than 2,000 staff and members of the wider Hershey community. These professionals commit themselves every day to ensuring our students have the resources, encouragement, and opportunity to achieve their goals. Staff spend quality time with students and become a trusted support system as students learn, grow, and find their passions.
MHS employees are world-class professionals who create programs that help our students see the world in new ways. Everyone is united by the same goal: to provide an atmosphere where all children feel inspired, empowered, and equipped to be the best versions of themselves.
Providing for daily needs
Students at MHS come from diverse and complex backgrounds. Through our whole child approach to education and dedicated staff, the school focuses on each student individually, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to thrive. While MHS can’t change our students’ past experiences, we are committed to shaping their future by providing robust support and opportunities during their time in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Our integrated services and staff/student interactions build the skills necessary for success. For example, MHS provides access to quality dental care — with all costs covered.
Courtesy of Milton Hershey School
Nurturing character and leadership excellence
The school was founded on a rich character-based curriculum that allows students to gain the necessary skills to achieve their aspirations. Students are immersed in character and leadership development on the athletic fields and Visual and Performing Arts stages, inside classrooms and student homes, and within mentoring relationships.
Our school’s Sacred Values are deeply embedded in our foundation, reflecting the principles cherished by our founders. Over a century ago, Milton Hershey instilled these values in both students and staff, setting a standard for future generations. Today, these values continue to guide us, shaping the character and success of our graduates. They serve as a blueprint for developing strong, principled individuals who lead lives filled with purpose and meaning.
High school student Damian Mattos is leading the way and breaking stereotypes — he’s an athlete, a musician, and a dancer. His story, along with Kamso Ebiringa-Chika, an elementary student who passed his deep-water test at an early age, and Nieyel Soto, a middle schooler who overcame homesickness, proves that opportunities at MHS exist for anyone to achieve success.
Proven academic success
MHS students’ remarkable achievements in the 2022-23 PSSA and Keystone standardized tests stand as a testament to the school’s dedication to academic excellence. Despite being a private institution not mandated to participate in standardized testing, MHS voluntarily participates and excels.
Demonstrating outstanding performance, MHS students ranked within the top 15% of all Pennsylvania districts across all tested areas, and within the top 5% in all three high school tested areas. Such success is undoubtedly a collective effort, highlighting the contributions of every dedicated employee who fosters an environment conducive to achievement.
Courtesy of Milton Hershey School
Test results show that when students first arrive at MHS they are, on average, at least two years behind grade level in many core academic areas. The excellent 2022-23 test results are proof that our rigorous curriculum, robust character development program, combined with our students’ resilience, are creating brighter futures.
Our career-focused education and character and leadership development, which focuses on the importance of a strong work ethic, nurtures students from disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare them to enter the world equipped to thrive as self-sufficient adults. Today, we carry forward the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Hershey.
Milton Hershey School: empowering minds, elevating futures
Discover how MHS inspires student success
Courtesy of Milton Hershey School
ABOUT MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
Milton Hershey School is one of the world’s best private schools, where qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade live on campus and receive an exceptional educational experience — with all costs covered. It is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit mhskids.org.