&
2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT
They’ve never needed us more.
State of the School
2
Looking to the Future
5
The Children We Serve
6
Academic Achievement
8
Educating the Whole Child
10
College and Career Readiness
12
Success After MHS
14
Supplementary Charts
16
1
State of the School
It is a pleasure to present this annual report of
student success at Milton Hershey School. As you
page through this report, you will see the remarkable
accomplishments of our students who strive to
achieve beyond expectation.
MHS prepares students to find their passion­—
whether that leads to college or straight into the
world of work. The goal is to put them on a path to
a productive, healthy and happy life that allows
them to break the cycle of poverty. With access to
top-notch academics, the nurturing support of our
home life program, character and leadership
development,
extensive
health
and
wellness
curriculum, and assistance beyond graduation,
our students are heading into the world ready to
overcome any challenge.
It is clear that our student-focused programs
are having a positive impact at all levels, as our
students continue to attain exceptional results
on standardized tests and success in their
postsecondary schooling.
Beyond all the test scores and success matrices, the
factor that impresses me most about our students
is their kind and serving hearts. MHS students are
making a difference because we have instilled in
them the importance of giving back. Although this
service cannot be quantified, I can assure you that
our students have spent thousands of hours working
in the community and on our campus. Their efforts
during the 2014 Cancer Care Community Walk
raised more than $122,000 and demonstrated the
support that the MHS family extends to those who
are facing adversity. It truly is an organization like
no other, and I am so proud to call it my alma mater,
my Hershey home since the age of five and the
amazing institution I am now honored and humbled
to lead as president.
Sincerely,
2
Peter G. Gurt ’85
President
A Top-Notch Education
“
Regardless of our role, we all have the
ability to be the one person in the life
of a student who makes the biggest
difference — who inspires them to
dream, to achieve, to serve others, to
be compassionate, to leave a legacy.”
—President Gurt
2014 Opening of School Assembly
3
TOP 5
SCHOOLS
ATTENDED BY
CLASS OF 2013
SHIPPENSBURG
UNIVERSITY OF PA
PENN COLLEGE
OF TECHNOLOGY
TEMPLE
UNIVERSITY
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL
INSTITUTE
KUTZTOWN
UNIVERSITY OF PA
Postsecondary
Choices
The Class of 2014 was the
largest
in
our
graduating
School’s
class
history
with 210 seniors. Of those
graduates, 77 percent (162
graduates) pursued a form of
postsecondary education.
62% Four-Year College
6% Community College
7% Trade/Technical School
2% Other (Art School, Military Academy, Etc.)
18% Workforce
5% Military
4
Looking to the Future
New Temple University
Program Brings College
to MHS Campus
Milton Hershey School is always looking for
innovative ways to invest in the success of our
students. A new program starting in the spring of
2015 will allow academically advanced seniors to
take an entire semester of college courses without
leaving the MHS campus.
15 SENIORS
WILL COMPLETE
A SEMESTER
OF COLLEGE
BEFORE FINISHING
HIGH SCHOOL
Fifteen students who have excelled academically and
in their extracurricular activities have been chosen
to participate in the program which partners MHS
with Temple University Harrisburg. They will take
on a full 15-credit course load, which will include
math, English, U.S. society and psychology classes.
College
Readiness
The classes will be taught by Temple professors on
the MHS campus. Students will experience the
responsibility and workload of college while still in
high school.
Partnerships like this are an important priority
for President Gurt, a 1989 graduate of the Fox
School of Business at Temple. As MHS works to
increase its already extensive support of young
alumni, college-readiness programs will help recent
graduates as they transition to life in college.
The School is exploring more ways it can partner
with
outside
organizations
to
benefit
MHS
students. Creative programs like this help prepare
students for success beyond high school.
5
The Children We Serve
Milton Hershey School empowers students from
families of low income to succeed in school and
Geography
in life. We currently serve nearly 2,000 students
16%
ENROLLMENT
APPLICATIONS
28% Students from
Dauphin, Lebanon or
Lancaster counties (535)
from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. In
order to serve as many eligible students as
possible, enrollment at the School has increased
by almost 50 percent over the past decade.1 And
50% Students from
other PA counties (966)
we are still growing.
22% Students from
other U.S. states (424)
Most students come from Pennsylvania, but 22
percent come from other U.S. states. We provide
a variety of support services to students and their
families to minimize homesickness and maximize
90.2%
RETENTION
RATE
family communication and involvement.
The School’s retention rates are excellent and
Gender
comparable to those of traditional boarding
schools. Our 2013-14 retention rate was 90.2
percent, the highest since 1997-98. It tops the 10-
49% Male (935)
year and 40-year averages of 87.3 percent and 87.6
percent respectively.2
51% Female (990)
All of our students come from low-income
households. The average family income for
students enrolled in 2013-14 was $14,655, 38%
under the 2014 Federal Poverty Level Guideline of
“
$23,850 for a family of four.
My mom, two brothers and I
were living together. As a single
mother it was a struggle for her
to provide for all of us. I knew
I wasn’t excelling in school,
and I needed more support and
motivation in my life.”
—Tatiana
12th grade
6
1
2
See Peak Enrollment Statistics supplementary chart on p. 16.
See Student Retention Rates supplementary chart on p. 16.
Ethnicity
44% White
31% Black
10% Hispanic
2% Asian
<1% Native American
13% Other
MHS EARNED THE
HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAM
BRONZE
AWARD
FROM THE ALLIANCE
FOR A HEALTHIER
GENERATION
TAUGHT ME
“ IITCOULD
DO
ANYTHING
”
I PUT MY MIND TO.
—Julissa, 12 th grade
After running the annual
Hershey Half Marathon
Keeping Our Students Healthy
MHS educates students about the importance of
Students learn about nutrition, exercise, proper
healthy lifestyles and provides them with access
hydration, adequate rest and limiting their
to important health and personal care services.
leisure screen time through formal instruction,
We provide medical, dental, psychological,
behavioral and social work services for our
students. Licensed social workers serve as
behavior modeling and fun activities aimed at
keeping them active and engaged with their own
health.
coordinators of Student Health Services for
Because they are more informed and empowered,
all students within the Elementary, Middle
the health and wellness of our students has
and Senior Divisions, and connect them with a
improved.3
variety of available health services.
3
See Student Physical Health supplementary chart on p. 16.
7
Academic Achievement
Statistically,
economically-
opportunities including Advanced Placement
challenged backgrounds do not score favorably
children
from
and college-level courses, cooperative education
on standardized tests, but students at MHS
programs, and internships.
have risen above that trend. In all subject areas,
MHS students outscored the statewide averages
and significantly exceeded the scores of other
socioeconomically-challenged children.
2,595
COMPUTERS
FOR STUDENT USE
HIGH SCHOOL
JUNIORS AND SENIORS
LEARN IN A
1:1
COMPUTING
ENVIRONMENT
8
In our ongoing effort to ensure our students
are ready for life after graduation, MHS has
integrated more technology into the curriculum
to engage students, expand their learning
For our advanced students, we have improved
and teach 21st-century skills necessary for
and expanded enrichment and career-readiness
postgraduate success.
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
Percentage of students scoring proficient or above on the PSSA (grades 3-8) and Keystone (high school level) exams.
PSSA Math
MHS 2009-10
74%
MHS 2009-10
77%
MHS 2010-11
80%
MHS 2010-11
79%
MHS 2011-12
78%
MHS 2011-12
84%
MHS 2012-13
85%
MHS 2012-13
84%
MHS 2013-14
88%
MHS 2013-14
86%
PA – All Testers 2013-14
73%
PA – All Testers 2013-14
69%
PA – Economically Disadvantaged (ED)
58%
PA – ED 2013-14
53%
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90 100
PSSA Science
20
30
70
80
90 100
66%
MHS 2009-10
87%
MHS 2010-11
61%
MHS 2010-11
90%
MHS 2011-12
73%
MHS 2011-12
94%
MHS 2012-13
71%
MHS 2012-13
90%
MHS 2013-14
80%
MHS 2013-14
89%
PA – All Testers 2013-14
70%
PA – All Testers 2013-14
68%
PA – ED 2013-14
53%
PA – ED 2013-14
52%
65%
40
40%
50
60
70
24%
100
80
74%
90 100
75%
0
41%
10
20
24%
30
100
60
60
50
50
50
40
40
40
30
30
30
10
0
PA – ED
20
(Spring 2014)
(Spring 2014)
PA – ED
(Spring 2014)
PA – All Testers
MHS 2013-14
MHS 2012-13
60
(Spring 2014)
70
PA – All Testers
70
70
MHS 2013-14
80
MHS 2012-13
80
80
Keystone Algebra I Keystone Biology
20
10
0
40
50
60
83%
95%
70
80
52%
90 100
35%
(Spring 2014)
30
PA – ED
65%
20
(Spring 2014)
10
90
0
60
MHS 2009-10
90
10
50
PSSA Writing
90
20
40
PA – All Testers
100
10
MHS 2013-14
0
0
MHS 2012-13
0
PSSA Reading
Keystone Literature
9
Educating the Whole Child
Consistent with the broader mission of Milton
Hershey School, we provide for the educational,
social, physical, emotional and spiritual growth
of
our students. This includes traditional
academic learning and character and leadership
development.
STUDY HOURS
EVERY STUDENT
STUDIES FOR
AT LEAST
These skills support our children in becoming
productive members of society and help them
develop the “grit” and determination needed to
succeed.
ONE HOUR
Students who demonstrate an understanding
IN THE STUDENT HOME
Spirit, Commitment to Mission and Mutual
EACH SCHOOL NIGHT
of the MHS Sacred Values of Integrity, Positive
Respect are recognized and rewarded.
Going forward, MHS will formalize a leadership
and character curriculum to ensure these skills
are both taught in the student homes and woven
throughout the MHS experience.
Character/Behavior
Percentage of students who consistently followed our code of conduct:
10
68%
69%
72%
73%
74%
77%
80%
81%
“I’M JUST SO
THANKFUL
THAT I WAS
CHOSEN
MHS 2013-14
MHS 2012-13
MHS 2011-12
MHS 2010-11
MHS 2009-10
MHS 2008-09
MHS 2007-08
TO BE PART OF THIS
MHS 2006-07
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
AWESOME
SCHOOL.”
—Patricia, 6th grade
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
SACRED
VALUES
INTEGRITY
POSITIVE
SPIRIT
COMMITMENT
TO MISSION
MUTUAL
RESPECT
A Brighter Future
Begins Here
73%
85%
2013-14
2012-13
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
2004-05
72%
79%
62%
round for students who choose to stay on campus
a significant skill-building activity scheduled
during summer and/or holiday breaks:
72%
71%
2011-12
67%
2010-11
70
58%
during summer and/or holiday breaks. In 2014,60
more than 85 percent of students participated50
in at least one activity during break that was40
designed to address their academic, social,
30
emotional and physical needs.
20
10
Percentage of students who participated in u 0
68%
2009-10
Milton Hershey School offers experiences year-
2008-09
Year-Round Experiences100
90
Participation
80
11
College and Career Readiness
Milton Hershey School prepares high school
students for their next stage of life through
career training and college-readiness programs,
the Transitional Living program, scholarships,
100%
OF GRADUATING
SENIORS
EARNED
AT LEAST ONE
and mentoring.
During their senior year, students have access
to hands-on learning in the workplace through
our extensive internship and part-time work
programs.
Students
gain
valuable
work
experience through a vast network of partner
organizations including The Hershey Company,
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Penn State
INDUSTRY
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and other local
IN EACH OF
Partnership programs like Moving Forward
CERTIFICATION
THE LAST
THREE YEARS
businesses.
Together at Elizabethtown College and Gear Up at
Lebanon Valley College help our students prepare
for the rigor of college life. Rising seniors also
experience a weeklong transition program that
assists them with the college application and
financial aid processes.
Transitional Living
The 210 students in the Class of 2014 spent their
senior year in the Transitional Living program—a
dormitory-style living environment that provides
an opportunity for students to practice life skills
necessary for independence after MHS.
Students develop skills in time management,
budgeting, conflict resolution, cooking, nutrition
and exercise that prepare them for the transition
12
“
to college or a full-time job.
I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I got into an engineering
class and found my passion. I feel conf ident about going to college
with the skills and knowledge I have because most high schools
don’t offer this type of program.”
—Alexis
Class of 2014
HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS
CAN EARN
ONE OR MORE OF
– 46 –
STATE OR NATIONAL
CERTIFICATIONS
Achievement
Beyond Expectations
Career/Technical
Education
100
Students are introduced to the Career/Technical
92.0% 93.0%
98.3% 98.8% 99.0% 99.4% 99.6%
Education (CTE) program in 4th grade and are able90
to explore 11 career options.4 Once students reach
80
71.0%
down to four, which provides them with an in-70 61.0%
depth experience in a variety of concentrations60
before choosing one pathway for the remainder50
of their MHS career.
40
30
Percentage of students in grades 10-12 u
20
who successfully completed state or
national certification or competency 10
exams in their respective CTE areas:
0
4
See Career/Technical Education Pathways list on p. 16.
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
9th grade, they narrow their areas of interest
13
Success After MHS
College and Career counselors begin working
with students in 9th grade and continue providing
support up to five years after they graduate from
MHS.
STUDENTS
CAN EARN
$80,000
IN COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIP
FUNDING
The Continuing Education Scholarship provides
financial assistance to eligible MHS graduates
pursuing full-time study toward one accredited,
classroom-based undergraduate program that
leads to a diploma, certificate or degree from a
U.S. institution.
MHS has collaborated with more than 70 colleges
and universities in its Alliance Schools program
to give MHS graduates access to dedicated and
supportive staff members at each alliance school.
88%
84%
81%
81%
77%
87%
66%
50%
Economically Disadvantaged
Percentage of graduating seniors who began their freshman
year of postsecondary education in the fall of 2014:
National Average
POSTGRAD90
SUPPORT80
OFFERED70
TO ALUMNI60
50
40
30
20
10
0
14
Postsecondary Success
MHS 8-yr. Average (2005-2012)
100
5 YEARS
students.
Class of 2014 (162/210)
SERVICE
average rates for economically disadvantaged
Class of 2013 (151/186)
MILITARY
or trade school—far greater than the national
Class of 2012 (155/192)
PURSUE
their education at a two- or four-year college
Class of 2011 (149/178)
CHOSE TO
In 2014, 77 percent of MHS graduates continued
Class of 2010 (144/163)
10 SENIORS
7,359
ALUMNI
IMPACTING
THEIR
COMMUNITIES
IN ALL
50 STATES
Excellent Education,
Exceptional Life
Alumni Summer
Housing
Milton Hershey School maintains strong100
connections with its young alumni and
is committed to tracking their progress.
Summer housing services are available
to alumni who need a safe place to live
during their college years. During the
summer of 2014, 40 young graduates
utilized our housing services.
90
80
70
60
50
38
40
40
Number of students who utilized
MHS housing services:
10
u
0
Summer 2014
20
Summer 2013
30
“
It feels good that their
eyes are opened. They
say, ‘Wow, Garry did
this and he came from
where I came from. So,
why can’t I?’”
—Garry Gilliam ’09
Tackle, Seattle Seahawks
15
Supplementary Charts
Peak Enrollment Statistics
1,925
1,866 1,891
1,831 1,848 1,838
1,395
89.1%
87.2% 88.3% 86.4%
84.2%
86.1%
89.5%
90.2%
70
1,278
61%
59%
65%
65%
66%
64%
Spring 2010
Spring 2011
Spring 2012
Spring 2013
Spring 2014
PA State Average
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
2004-05
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
50
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
60
Percentage of students measuring in the healthy Body
Mass Index (BMI) range:
16
84.3%
87.7%
80
1,509
Student Physical Health
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
100
90
1,703
2004-05
2000
1900
1800
1700
1600
1500
1400
1300
1200
1100
1000
Student Retention Rates
Career/Technical
Education Pathways
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Automotive Technology
Business/Financial Management and Accounting
Computer Technology
Construction/Carpentry
Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management Services
Electronic Media and Journalism
Engineering and Design
Graphic Communication Technologies
Health Science
Law, Public Safety and Security
We’ve never needed them more.
“
Giving back is an action that needs to come from
within, and without expecting something in return. I
am always trying to do the right thing. None of us are
perfect. However, we must never lose the drive to want
to become better people in our daily lives.”
—Oscar
Class of 2015
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
MISSION
IN KEEPING WITH
MR. AND MRS. HERSHEY’S
DEED OF TRUST
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
NURTURES AND EDUCATES
CHILDREN IN SOCIAL
AND FINANCIAL NEED
TO LEAD FULFILLING
AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES.
Milton Hershey School is one of the world’s best private schools,
offering a top-notch education and positive home life to children
in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from families of
lower income at no charge. Learn more at:
mhskids.org
Milton Hershey School admits boys and girls of any race, color, religion, nationality
and ethnic origin to all of the programs and activities made available to students of the school.
12/2014
ld
Go
&
n
w
Bro
e
t
a
pd
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MHS Students Continue to Show Exceptional Growth
We are very proud of the academic
persistence of our students, and their
excellent scores on statewide tests are
evidence of their commitment to success.
Students come to Milton Hershey School
with varying aptitudes and competencies.
Our employees strive to help them grow
in their achievement and understanding.
Thanks to the diligence of our students,
our dedicated teachers and the support
of houseparents, students are making
remarkable progress.
Recently released data places MHS in the
top 1 percent of districts in Pennsylvania
for student growth in literature and biology
and the top 9 percent for growth in algebra,
as measured through the Keystone Exams
which evaluate high school level learning.
We also ranked in the top 3 percent for growth
in reading and the top 13 percent for growth
in math in Pennsylvania districts among
students in grades 4-8.
These impressive growth statistics show the
advancement of our students’ learning, and
we should be very proud of our results. Our
priority is to ensure that every student has
the opportunity to meet and exceed his or her
academic goals.
mhskids.org
Here is what members of the Class of 1998* are doing 15 years after graduation.
38% have earned a
bachelor’s
degree
24% have earned a
master’s
degree
79% are
working
full time
7% have earned a
professional
degree
14% are
working
part time
17% are in school
law, medicine,
dentistry, etc.
full or part time
*2013-14 Annual Student Life Report Card survey respondents.
mhskids.org