What is Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS)?
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning is a non-residential, weekday, early childhood education program in Pennsylvania that serves children from six weeks to age 5—with all costs covered for qualifying families.
CHS Centers will ensure enrolled children have the knowledge, skills, and values needed to grow into their best selves. It will support the following:
- Hands-on classroom learning
- Social and emotional development
- Cognitive growth
CHS Centers are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School (MHS) and are staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.
What does the CHS program look like?
CHS provides a core early learning program year-round from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and has a play-based curriculum designed to enhance children’s educational, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
CHS provides children with nutritious meals and other needed supplies, along with integrated family services, including a dedicated staff member to keep families informed and connected to tools and resources. Utilizing outside service providers, families may be provided with parenting and educational information, housing services, health care referrals, and job training.
Where will the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning be located?
All CHS Centers will be in Pennsylvania:
- CHS Hershey: Opened in October 2023
- CHS Harrisburg: Opened in September 2024
- CHS Middletown: 2025
- CHS Lancaster City, New Danville, and Elizabethtown will begin opening in 2026.
Who is eligible for enrollment?
Admissions policies and criteria for CHS will be similar to Milton Hershey School. Income eligibility and adequacy of care criteria are the same.
Please visit the Enrollment page for additional information.
No. CHS children will not be automatically admitted to MHS upon turning 5. However, they are invited to apply for admission to MHS.
Please visit the CHS Enrollment page for additional information.
What employment opportunities are available?
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning continuously seeks passionate individuals to be a part of CHS’ mission. Employment opportunities are updated frequently on the CHS Careers page.
