New Spartan Academy: Where Milton Hershey School Students Start
By Alyssa Hostetter, MHS Family Relations and New Student Transitions Counselor
New beginnings can foster both excitement and fear—especially for children. Milton Hershey School is dedicated to ensuring that new students have the best possible start at the school.
Designed to meet new students’ immediate needs, the New Spartan Academy (NSA) is a program designed by the MHS Family Relations team that helps students prepare for their first day of school. All new students participate in the program, forming meaningful connections with other students and adults immediately after their Enrollment Day.
Activities and Sessions
During NSA, students attend sessions and activities that prepare them for campus life. The schedule varies depending on the time of year—with a longer, fun-filled schedule in the summer and a shorter, scholastic-centered schedule during the school year. Elementary, Middle, and Senior Division students have tailored schedules to meet their age-appropriate needs.
Universal sessions for all ages include clothing fittings, receiving and learning about their school-issued laptops/ tablets, tours of their new school building, and meetings with key members of their Home Life and scholastic support system.
Caring Adults
All newly enrolled student groups are assigned to a chaperone who will lead them through their schedule, answer their questions, and serve as a mentor. Chaperones are caring, knowledgeable, and committed to helping each new Spartan succeed. NSA groups provide the opportunity for students to get to know others and form friendships starting on Day 1.
At MHS, we know that new beginnings can be challenging, and that students and parents/sponsors alike can feel uneasy about this transition into a new environment. The NSA program eases this transition by giving new students a chance to learn about their division, meet new friends, and adjust to their environment with guidance from a caring adult. NSA equips new students with the support, guidance, and care needed for a strong start to their MHS journey.
Learn More about the Admissions Process at MHSView Parents/Sponsors Resources