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Providing for Daily Needs

MHS believes providing for daily needs for all students is essential to their success. Clothing, food, fitness, and hair care are part of our program and given to all students for free.

An MHS student meets with a thought leaders in whole child care at the Health Center.

Daily Needs Being Met

At MHS, we believe every student’s future is full of possibilities. We work to eliminate the stress surrounding providing for daily needs. We also provide access to free healthcare for all students.

Review Student Medical Services

Clothing

As the Deed of Trust states, students are to be dressed “plainly, neatly, and comfortably clothed, without distinctive dress.” As part of MHS founding principles, all students receive a full wardrobe of approximately 85 items. Every child is able to dress for every occasion.

Students visit the Clothing Center twice annually for all of their clothing needs. They receive coordinated clothing for school, leisure wear, and dress wear clothing. Pieces are tailored to fit each child. Students can request specific items in between as needed.

Learn more about the types of clothing and specific items students receive.

Coordinated Clothing for School

All divisions of students wear coordinated clothing daily for class, school events, visiting, and other designated school functions. These outfits follow certain guidelines and display the school logo to create a uniform look.

Items Available to Students

  • Shirts
  • Slacks
  • Shorts
  • Fleeces
  • Sweatshirts
  • School socks
  • Sneakers

Leisure Wear Clothing

Leisure wear is to be worn for work and play at the student home. It also is appropriate for recreation. In most cases, the students and houseparents decide what is appropriate for leisure wear. If a parent/sponsor cannot afford to provide leisure wear, the school will provide it at no expense.

Items Available to Students

  • Shirts
  • Shorts
  • Jeans
  • Sweatshirts
  • Sweatpants
  • House shoes
  • Play sneakers

Dress Wear Clothing

Dress wear is worn for Sunday Chapel, off-campus worship, and other special occasions. These guidelines help students become aware of appropriate professional, formal, and semi-formal attire.

Items Available to Students

  • Sport coats
  • Formal shirts
  • Formal slacks
  • Belts
  • Neckties
  • Dress socks
  • Dresses
  • Chapel shoes
Learn More about Religious Programs

Outerwear, Swimwear, and Intimates

Outerwear Available to Students

  • Light-weight jackets
  • Winter coats for school
  • Winter coats for play
  • Raincoats
  • Hats
  • Gloves
  • Thermal tops and bottoms
  • Snow pants
  • Snow boots

Swimwear and Intimates Available to Students

  • Swimming suits/shorts/shirts
  • Pool shoes
  • Briefs or underwear
  • Bras
  • Undershirts
  • Pajamas
  • Robes

Family- and Sponsor-Provided Clothing

The school allows a limited amount of approved leisure and dress wear that the student and/or their family or sponsor provides. Please note, this sort of clothing must have school approval before being worn.

Our Whole Child Approach

MHS covers 100% of the cost of medical, dental, and psychological care, housing, clothing, food, and extracurricular activities, allowing them to focus on their personal growth.

Student Fitness

An active lifestyle improves quality of life, overall health and physical performance. We provide structured exercise classes and extracurricular activities so students can invest in their fitness.

Milton Hershey School student sits in the barber chair in Spartan Styles on campus.

Spartan Styles Salon & Barber Shop

Hair care is an important part of the way MHS is providing for daily needs at school. Spartan Styles is a fully licensed salon and barber shop on campus. It provides free trims, hairstyles, and hair care advice to students.

The salon features:

  • Several professional styling stations
  • A self-styling station for students who want to practice styling their hair with the advice and guidance of a professional
Milton Hershey School students and houseparents work on food prep in their student home kitchen.

Living On Campus

On-campus housing provides stability and safety for MHS students. It is available year-round and supports the whole child. Houseparents help students stay healthy and thrive. See more ways students are supported at MHS.

Explore Student Home LifeLearn about Campus Safety

Milton Hershey School Spartan field hockey players pose for a picture after their game.

Athletics

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Milton Hershey School elementary students work on painting in a visual arts class.

Student Activities

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Milton Hershey School students in Year-Round Experiences programming create animal masks.

Year-Round Experiences

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Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Read important MHS policies on equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.

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