Residential Careers

The houseparent role gives married couples the opportunity to provide a consistent, family-like structure students can rely on. Daily houseparent responsibilities include transporting students to and from school, helping with homework, managing chores, and more.

Have Personal Children of Your Own?

Houseparents can have up to three dependent children living with them in their apartment attached to the student home. Houseparents’ personal children are encouraged to participate in day-to-day activities with their students, including meals and trips. Children of houseparents cannot attend MHS, instead attending an exceptional public school, other private school, or homeschool.

MHS seniors live in apartment-style buildings supervised by at least two Residential Living Assistants (RLAs). They are responsible for coaching and teaching high school seniors essential life skills. They also serve as role models and mentors, helping students prepare for independent life as an adult.

Staff schedules rotate. At least one Residential Living Assistant (RLA) is on duty when students are in the building. There are times when both adults are on duty. There are also flex RLAs delegated to each building as needed.

Discover the RLA Role

When applying, be sure to highlight your experience and skills in working with youth, including volunteering. If selected for further consideration, our team of recruiters will guide you through a series of interviews and an extensive background check that often takes three to six months.

Download the Houseparent Journey Map (PDF)

All new houseparents and RLAs begin in a flex role, a full-time position with full salary and benefits. Flex houseparents and RLAs rotate between shadowing placed houseparents and covering homes/apartments when houseparents and RLAs are off duty (similar to substitute teaching). This phase typically lasts 1–3 years.